ASHBUBTON WOOLLEN FACTORY COMPANY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4400, 1 June 1882, Page 3

ASHBUBTON WOOLLEN FACTORY COMPANY.

, «. Things nro now taking somrfcliing like definite shape in connection with the projected woollen factory in A shburtcn. Already 1143 sharoß hare boen taken in tho Company, representing 120 shareholders, and tho Directors purpose proceeding tit once and energetically with thoir work?. The site, as has alroady been Btatod in those columns, hae been selected near the river, on the Alford Forest road. Tho proximity of the sito to the rivor has led eomo people to imagino that the Directors purposed using water as tho driving power of tho factory. This, however, tho Chairman of Directors (Mr T. Bullock) was very careful (at a meeting of share* holders on Monday afternoon) to point out was a mistake. Ho said the Directors had never intended to use any other motive power than steam. Ho also corrected another misconception. Though tho Dircotorato had bought some £400 worth of plant in the Colony, they did not for ono moment fancy that they would go on with that alone. It had boen bought moro for tho cheapness of much of tho machinery it contained that was not essentially weaving machinery — such as shafting, driving gear, &;.— than for tho waving, spiuning, and preparing plant that was amongst it. It. was intended to mako the factory a high class one, and Ashburton has never jot gone into an enterprise with any heart that it did not mako a decided success. Tho Directors knew that a grand future was beforo tho Company if they wore able to produco a good nrtiole in patisfactory quantity and at a reasonable figure. This ceuld only bo dono by having j tho bo6t machinery that could bo procured in J tho markot, and by securing a man ns manager who, whilo ho possessed a thorough knowledge of his business, would also bo willing to invest in shares, and thus tako a double interost in tho success and reputution of the faotory. To seoure such a man ho suggested that Mr Hugo Fricdlandor ivnd Mr James Graham (of Cuff and Graham), both now in the Old Country, should bo asked to look round and mako inquiries. The eamo gentlemen, tho Provisional Directors had asked to prooure catalogues and prices of tho bost machinory from Homo makers, and forward thorn oubhoro, so that tho highest claes plant coul-1 bo securod. Machinery in manufactures was now so perfect that labour saving had been cultivated to a high degree, and tho elas* of plant which Bhowed most favourably in tho direction of labour saving would bo that which tho Directors would endeavour to obtain. At tho mooting abovo referred to it was etutcd that such machinery us Scott IJ:os., Christchurcb, could make that firm wore willing to supply, accepting two-thirds cC tho prico in shares of tho Company. Certain uecosfary machinery they hud offered to make, and tlio shares in payment vrou'd amount to about 200. Altogether fcho Company has a vory promising outlook, end tho following list of Directors forming J.ho now Eoard will bo euillciont guarantee to Ihw-e who know the A sb burton business men 1 huh tho factory will not fail for any l.fV of energy and enterprise:— Messrs T. Bu'lork, D. Williamson, Andrew Orr, John Orr, R. Friodlaudcr, Joaoph Ward, and E. G. Wright.