MILTON" POTTERY.

Bruce Herald, Volume XV, Issue 1485, 2 March 1883, Page 3

MILTON" POTTERY.

A meeting of persons interested in the carrying on of this industry waß held in the Council Chambers on Wednesday evening last. His Worship the Mayor presided, and about forty were present. The Chairman explained the object of the meeting, which had been cenvened, he said, at the request of the potters themselves, and called upon Mr Coulter to address those present. Mr Coulter said that since the stoppage of the .works the men had several meetings amongst themselves, and after careful consideration were perfectly satisfied in their own minds that the Milton pottery could be successfully carried on by the present hands, provided they confined their operations to the manufacture of common ware, such as tea-pots, milk dishes, butter jars, flower pots, demijohns, and goods of a like description. He knew from past experience that they could tui'n out this class of goods as well as they could be manufactured in England, at a price that would enable the projectors to realise a very handsome profit. After the first kiln,he could assure the gentlemen present that with the hands at present avail' able they could place in the market a kiln of ware every three weeks. After awhile, no doubt, it would be possible to increase the output by one-third. In answer to questions, Mr ' Coulter said that some of the men had left the district, but there were still sufficient here to carry on the industry ; also, that all the plant necessary for the proper working of the business was now on the premises. Mr I>. Reid said that no one could be more anxious than he was to see the pottery hands at work again, still he was not disposed to accept the assurance of the potters themselves, or anyone else, for the matter of that, as to the probable success of the business in the event of another start being made. He had on two previous occasions risked his money on other peoples* representations in reference to the pottery, and each time lost the lot. He was, however, aware that, unless the people of Milton woke up again and made some effort to foster the ia« dustry, it would die a natural death, business would ultimately come to a standstill, and the inhabitants would have to go elsewhere to look for employment. He had quite made up his mind not to invest a shilling in the formation of a Company. What he would suggest would Be the appointment of a Provisional Committee for the purpose of waiting upon the directors of the Company, now in liquidation, and ascertain if they would be disposed to lease the works and necessary plant from month to month at a nominal rental. He thought the directors would see the advisability of granting the request, as it would be quite impossible for them to realise on the premises and plant unless to parties who intended to carry on the same business. Should they be able to obtain a lease at a reasonable rental, he would be prepared to make one to find the necessary money to enable the potters to produce a kiln of ware. Did that prove a success (as they said it would), he would feel disposed to back it up for a second and third trial, and if ultimately convinced that the pottery could produce material which would command the market, and at a price that would secure a reasonable profit, he would be ready and willing to invist largely in the concern, provided the potters themselves took a proportionately large number of shares and paid them out of their wages. He then moved, " That a Committee be appointed for the purpose named." Mr Gordon seconded the motion, and the following were appointed a committee : — Messrs D, Reid, R. R, Jones, H. Coulter, E. Stewart, and H. White.