Gardeners Clear Shoddy From Carpet Factory

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30767, 3 June 1965, Page 14

Gardeners Clear Shoddy From Carpet Factory

“There will be a lot of prolific gardens in Christchurch next spring,” commented Mr K. R. H. Neville, manager for Overseas Carpets (N.Z.), Ltd., at its Bromley carpet factory yesterday when he reported that a heap of 20 to 30 tons of shoddy, which had accumulated outside the factory, had disappeared. Shoddy is pure wool that comes from the shearing of carpets in the final stage of manufacture to leave a level surface. In Britain it is highly prized as a fertiliser, and agricultural suppliers have difficulty in getting enough of it, though there are 75 carpet factories in the country.

In Christchurch until recently interest in the material has been very limited, and early last month, in the hope of clearing the accumu lated supplies before they might have to be dumped. Mr Neville invited home gardeners and others through “The Press” to take away the shoddv free of charge. Persons have since arrived in motor-cars with trailers and sacks and with motortrucks. and the heap has disappeared. 1

Mr Neville said that the factory was constantly pro ducing shoddy, so there would be more for those who had missed on this occasion. Later a charge for it might be considered.