THE NEW SAWMILL.

Bush Advocate, Volume VII, Issue 648, 12 July 1892, Page 2

THE NEW SAWMILL.

An important addition to the sawmilling industry in this district is the newly erected mill in Queen-Street, Danevirke, the property of the Tamaki Sawmill Co. It is advantageously situated, being -in close vicinity to the Danevirke railway station. The mill was designed by the contractor for working it, Mr j. McLaren, who in fitting up the mill ha 3 brought considerable ingenuity into play. A representative of the Advocate paid a visit to the mill yesterday, and was greatly interested with what he saw. Busy workmen, intent on the duty in hand, the steam engine at its full power, horses coming along the tram up to the mill, a network of belting in motion, and the buzz of the saws as the great trunks were ripped into pieces, all combined to impress one with the magnitude of the timber industrj. The breaking down is done by vertical saws, which reduce the timber to a suitable size for the bench saw, the latter under the charge of Mr McLaren. Excellent work was being done yesterday, although the engine was at a disadvantage, the fuel, matai slabs, being soaking wet, still the engine seemed to be quite capable of doing its part. Adjacent to the engine a circular saw is in motion, and this is utilised for cutting up slabs into a suitable size for firing the engine. An ingenious device is in requisition for clearing away the sawdust. From the bench saw to a receptacle raised some feet from the ground runs a belt, crossed by small wooden bars, and on this belt is carried away the sawdust as quickly as it comes from the saw. The belt deposits the sawdust in the raised box, and all that is necessary to empty the box is to open a door, undor which, on the tram, a small truck is placed. The sawdust pours into it, and, when filled, is hauled into the bush, and there emptied. Tho engine used is a very powerful one, quite equal to driving all the saws used. The mill, wjien going at its best, is capable of turning out 1000 ft an hour, which it must be admitted is a very good output. Planing and rusticating is another branch of the business which is carried on, a machine for doing this being in working order, and very creditable work is turned out. Messrs Smith and Cadman's bush, directly behind the mill, is being worked for the timber. A large number of hands find employment at the mill, and the wages sheet alone must run into a considerable sum. Considering that the mill has only been in operation for a few weeks, the smoothness with which the work proceeds, and the amount of work got through, is very creditable. Adjoining the mill, and fronting Queen street, a commodious office is being erected for the Company. We are pleased to hear that orders for timber are in abundance, and that the mill has a very fair share of the brisk business enjoyed by the other mills in the district. We hope this satisfactory state of things will prevail for along time to come, and that the timber industry, which is one of the most vital importance to a bush district, will never be in'a lesa flourishing condition than at the present time, in which ease sawmillers will have good reason to be satisfied.