LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 3961, 3 May 1870, Page 5

LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

Ax addition to our Auckland industries is about to be made, by the opening of a hat manufactory, in Wellesley-street. Mr. W. Chapman, who has carried on business for about five years in Melbourne, is removing the whole of his plant thence to Auckland. It is now, probably, at Nelson — having been landed there from one of McMeckan, Blackwood, and C'o.'s steamers — if it is not alreadj 7 on its way from Nelson to the Manukau. The plant is a very complete one ; and Mr. Chapman proposes to carry on the business in all its branches — from the production of the English, orthodox silkcovered " bell-topper, " to the free-and-easy sewed hats of many kinds. We understand that there is not at present any such manufactory in Auckland ; so that Mr. Chapman ought to, and we hope he will, find plenty of profitable occupation as soon as he has his plant in order. Mr. Chapman contemplates manufacturing flax hats. At least, he will inquire and try whether a light, strong, good-looking head-covering cannot be made out of well-dressed flax, loosely twisted into a yarn, flattened by machinery into a sort of braid, and then platted. The flax hat, however, is only to be regarded, at present, as a possible pro duction. Messrs. Co^sens and Atkin, of the Cookstreet coach factory, have just completed, to the order of a gentleman resident in Auckland, a handsome vehicle, whiih is gracefully modelled, well-finished, light, and strong — if proportions and evident good workmanship are to be trusted for seeming strength. The carriage is a modified Cspring, crane-neck, cab-phaeton ; and being, taken as a whole, a unique vehicle, the buildeiß contemplate nanrng it "i he Psyche." The carriage is on an improved English plan, with an open iron fore-part. The frame is of English ash ; and as to the wheels, the naves are of puriri, the spokes of tea-tree, and the felloes of hickory. The axleß are Collins's patent, and they are the only parts of the vehicle not made in the factory of Messrs. Cousens and Atkin. The renicle is hooded, and the hood is fitted n front with a German light, of nine leaves, by which the front can be completely closed, while at the back there ia an aperture for air, which can be closed by a leather cover, in the centre of which there is an oval of glas3. The body-frame is of rimu. In front, within the vehicle proper, there is a seat foi- two, which folds up, and appears part of the fittings when not needed, but which can be instantly put down, on spiral iron supports, and a couple of ornamental iron guard-rails opened. The boxseat affords room for two, so that, when necessary, the vehicle will carry six persons. The back lining is of blue tabaret, nicely padded, and the head-lining is of cloth. The colour of the carriage is purple-lake picked out with blue, and the mountings, and lamps, are of the best silver-plate. Altogether, this modified and handsome cab-phaeton is a great credit to the firm by which it has been constructed. Among the many branches of business which the Thames goldfield has so largely developed in Auckland, perhaps none has been more benefited than the iron trade generally The engineering works in Chapelatreet, belonging to Mr. Hawkeswood, have for some time past been found too small for the increasing trade. It was consequently resolved to extend the premises to Albertstreet. This large addition— 63ft. by 26ft. — is now nearly completed, and will, we believe, be used as an addition to the moulding shop, and for offices, &c.

">After_ the Dance: Charles: "Tell me Laws, why thai: Badness ? Tell me why that look of care? Why has fled thy look of gladnesß which thy face was wont to wear ?" " Charles, His useless td dissemble ; well my face nuty a frown, for I've lost my urgeit Hair-pin, j*nd mf chignon's, coming