TWINE-MAKING AT WAIKUKU.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 34, 17 March 1914, Page 11 (Supplement)

TWINE-MAKING AT WAIKUKU.

That bale of binder twine that one notices thrown out on the platform of our wayside stations seems a very small thing. You would hardly cast a second glance at it. It is there consigned to some neighbouring farmer preparatory to, his commencing harvesting. Yet the production of that twine accounts for one of the leading industries of North Canterbury. On entering the spinning room of the Andrews Company's twine works, one is struck by the maze of machinery used in the production of this common-looking everyday article. It would only require girl operatives, instead of men, to give on 6 the impression that they had been set down in a Manchester spinning loom.

Waikuku is some seven miles from Rangiora, and it is here that the late Mr J. P. Andrews established his works some 17 years ago. He and his father had previous to this been in the flaxmilling business. It was a short step to go into twine spinning. The perfection of the binder naturally created a demand for a cheap, serviceable twine. Binder swine,

as we know it to-day, spun from our native flax, filled the demand. An unostentatious commencement was made 17 years ago with a single spinner. The building.then used is to-day fitted up as an engineer's shop with lathes and drills, etc., for the engineer's convenience in keeping the modern machinery of today in running order. Now there are nine double spinners in use, which are worked two shifts per day in order to keep pace with the demand. Between 40 and 60 men are kept at work the year round, for though the demand experienced is really only during the harvesting season, the factory is kept at work filling the immense brick store against the day's orders come with a rush. The works are massive briek buildings. The spinning room is 100 ft by 50ft, and the storeroom, which hold the output, which runs Irp tg 50 tons pf finished twine per annum, is 100 ft by 40ft. Tlw \hole of the buildings are electrically lighted from water jpower led OB to & turbine. / • * \ v '