THE EGMONT STEAM FLOUR MILL.

A building of a more pretentious character than is usually to be met with in small colonial towns has lately been erected in New Plymouth ', and has attracted a good deal of notice both from inhabitants and visitors. We allude to the Egmont Steam Flour Mill, whose existence is due to the jmter prise of Mr. Hulke, / As this is the first steam flour mill which has been erected in Taranaki, a brief description of it may be interesting to our readers, and will also serve to show to our well-wishers in other parts of the world that we havo by no means been crushed by our misfortunes.

The building, which occupies a conspicuous position at the Carrington road end of Curriestreet, is 78 feet long by 31 feet wide, With an altitude of about 50 feet. The foundation walls are of stone, beingO feet iv the ground and 4 feet iv thickness. The basement story is also of stone, and is 13 feet in height, with walla 2 feet C inches thick. The stone used was tho ordinary beach stone. The upper part of the building is of wood, with battened sides ; and the wholo is roofed with corrugated iron. Red pine and kauri weriu the timbers used in the construction of the building, the scantling being of the former and tho flooring of the latter. The principal scantling is very heavy, being 10 inches square. Indeed, tho whole building is built in a very massive

style, and we question whether another building of the same size could be found in New Zealand to compare with it in that respect. For examplo, the flooring joists of the socoud story arc 14 x 9 inches ; and the flooring throughout is 3 inches thick, and tougued with iron.

The chief room in the basement will be occupied as an engine-room. The machinery is now being fitted up by Mr. Gibson, brother of Capt. Gibson, Harbor Master. Part oi tho second story is occupied as an agricultural agency office, for the negotiation of sales and purchase of farm produce and stock. Every facility is afforded for the dry storage of large quantities of goods. We must not forget to mention that registers are kept of houses or land for sale or to let, stock to be sold, &c, an inspection of which would, in many cases, save much loss of time. An agency of this kind has long been wanted, and will no doubt meet with ample support. In the other part of this stoiy two pairs of French millstones will bo worked. Although it is only intended to use two pairs at present, arrangements have been made for the reception of four pairs. Close at hand we see bean, corn, aud oat-crushing machines. Asceuding to the next floor, we see a fine silkdressiug flour machine. Ou each side of the room is a row of stout uprights, placed there, we presume, to resist the vibration of the machinery. The same thing has been done in tho room below. A fourth story and a fine lofc offer storage accommodation for an immense quantity of goods. Ample precautions have been taken against fire by placing a 400 gallon iron tauk, fitted with pipes, &c, on each of tho floors, and as the Huatoki river is hai'd by, a plentiful supply of water could be readily obtained in case of need. We may here be permitted to remark that some of our storekeepers might wisely follow the example of the proprietoi'S of the Egmont .Mill, and place water tanks in their promises to serve in case of fire.

The contract for the magonry was executed in a most workmanlike maunor by Mr. N. Hooker, and the carpenter's work was performed no less satisfactorily by Messrs. Bull & Bond. The whole establishment is highly creditable to colonial enterprise, and shows that we have still capitalists amongst us who have a firm belief in the future prosperity of Taranaki.