A NEW INDUSTRY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 137, 6 August 1881, Page 4

A NEW INDUSTRY.

FOEMAL STARRING OF THE FLOUE-

MILL. (fkom our reporter.)

Last summer a contract was let by Messrs. Websters and McKellar, of New Plymouth, to Messrs. Mackintosh and Co., of Inglewood, for building a new flou'-mill near the Tawhiti creek, on a piece of land purchased from Mr. Thomas Mason, junior. In a few months, the building, which is 40 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 38 feet in height, was completed, the work being dove in a very satisfactory manner. It was at that time expected that the mill would be ready as soon as the crops were harvested ; but through some blundering on the part of those to whom orders were giveu for the machinery, a long delay ensued. What was sent out was entirely different from that which had been ordered, and quite un suited to colonial requirements. In consequence, a lengthy correspondence took place, with the result in the long run that the English firm had to acknowledge that it was in the wrong, and a fresh supply, in accordance with the original oi der, had to be forwarded. Even then all did not go " smoothly as a marriage bell." Some of the machinery appeared to have been obtained from one foundry, and some from another, necessitating a great deal of extra work and filing down by the mechanics entrusted with the fixing. Now, however, all the difficulties have been got over, and on Monday last the first start was made on some peas grown by Mr. Caverhill. The machinery worked very smoothly, but some minor matters still require a little- more attention, for machinery, any more than a well-made coat or a nicely-shaped boot, does not fit into its proper place for the first few days. But the first start gave general satisfaction to those best qualified to judge.

Entering Ihe first storey of the building, and being introduced to those in charge of the mill by Mr. F. L. Webster, who accompanied me, I had an opportunity of seeing all the preparatory details which make the principal component of what has been so aptly termed "the staff of life," suitable for the baker. ' There are three pairs of grinding stones on the first floor, 3 feet 10 inches in diameter (kuown by the technical term of "French burrs"), obtained from the celebrated firm of W. E. Dell, Mark Lane, London. They are fitted up with Derby exhausts — quite a recent improvement for cooling the " meal," as wheat is termed after it has been grouud. The exhaasts have not as yet found their way, to any great extent, to these Southern shores. There may be a few in the Middle Island, but it doubtful whether this Island can boast of any, except those recently introduced by Messrs. Websters and McKellar. In the old days it used to be a matter of some difficulty to remove the stones when they required to be dressed, but a very simple contrivance does away with the block and tackle. A swinging ii'on bar (which is termed a stone-crane), and hooks, enable a small boy to lift the top stones without the least trouble, and place them in any required positiou. When the machinery is in motion, the stones go at the rate of 140 revolutions per minute. Attached to each is a lighter- gear, by means of which the stones can be raised or lowered in a few seconds, and with the greatest ease imaginable. Close by the raised platform where the stones are, an iron spout attracted my attention. Upon inquiry, I learnt that the flour, after passing through the silk-dressers, comes through this spout at the rate of four tons per day of eight hours — that is, supposing two out of the three pairs of stones are kept at work. A little further on is the bran-duster, which separates all the offal, leaving only the bran in its purest state behind.

Proceeding to the second floor, where T found the main shaft which drives all the machinery, I was shown the silk-dressers, which are also fitted together on an improved plan. Formerly the silks used to be tacked together, and when an accident happened,* or the silk got worn out, it was a matter of considerable delay and trouble to get things right again. Now, the silks are laced together, and if one piece gets damaged, another can be substituted in half an hour. At a congress of millers held in the United States last year, there were two delegates present from England. When they returned, they were entertained at dinner, and in the course of the speech-making they informed those who sent them to the States to report that English millers would have to make a complete change, if they wished to keep pace with their clever cousins across the Atlantic. Messrs. WVbsters and McKellar appear to have been aware of these facts (for a knowledge of which I may refer readers of the Stab to the Scientific American, from the pages of which valuable paper I gleaned the particulars about six months ago). I saw on the second floor a " Combined Victor Smutter and Separator," made by the Barnard and Leas Manufacturing Company, at Moline, U.S. It was only patented in England in 1876, and it ia extremely doubtful whether there ure half a dozen of them to be found in New Zealand, although it is stated (hat there is scarcely a first-class mill in the United States without a " CornLined Smutter and Separator," whether manufactured by Barnard and Leas or by some other maker. Into

this smutter the gain descends from the upper story. There are fluted beatevs inside, which revolve at the rate of about 500 times per minute, and thoroughly cleanse the grain from all impurities. Near at hand is the dust- room, a close compartment ; but when the door is opened, the visitor experiences a cold blast of wind, in comparison with which a "southerly buster" is comparatively mild. But this cold blast has its use, and that appears to be to get the dust and other iropii'ities away without the least trouble, through a slit in the side of the building. Another Yankee machine on the second floor is the " Snowflake Middlings Purifier," made by Simpson and Gault, of the Straub Mill Company, Chicago. It was only patented on the 7th October, 1879, and is one of Ihe latest improvements so successfully introduced by the Americans. As its name indicates, its work is to purify the " middlings," which may be described as a combination of second flour and sharps. The purifier takes away all the finer particles of bran and fluff, and gives to the flour a cleaner and better appearance. The investors claim very great virtues for the purifier, and thoughtful, practical men like Mr. Hulke think highly of it.

Ou the third floor, there are five large bins, each capable of holding about 250 bushels of wheat. If desirable, a different variety of wheat may be placed in each of these bins, and any required quality can be got to flow from either of them into the " conveyer," where a hollow shaft, with reversible screw blades, mixes the wheat as effectually as the demon mixes old and young in the "Sorcerer." Good flour is often produced by blending the corn, just as good tea is to be had by the mixing of the choicest varieties. From the conveyer, the wheat passes into the smutler, the operation of which has been already described. When the grain comes to the mill, it is set into a large bin ou the fist floor, and by means of elevators it is taken to the upper storey ; so that, although there are hoists and trap-doors, they will be seldom required. About 5000 bushels of wheat can be stored on the upper floor, and it is intended to put up five more bins opposite the others, capable of holding 10Q0 bushels. For the benefit of the uuinitiated, I might state that after the grain goes through the purification and mixing processes up-stairs it descends through shoots on to the hoppers over the <mndin2 stones. After beinf around,

Jt passes into the meal-conveyer, where a timber shaffcj fitted with pieces of block tin, mixes it well together. From thence it passes into the elevator, inside of which there are small galvanised iron cups, and these convey the meal to the silk elevators. When the silks have performed their very necessary functions, the flour passes into the " posei'," and from thence discharged into the bags. Nothing is more surprising to those unacquainted with the mysteries of milling than the amount of travelling up and down which the wheat and flour have to go through before the .baker's wants can be supplied.

The water- race and fluming is nearly half a mile in length. By this means the motive power is supplied, and all the bother and expense of steam obviated. The turbine wheel, which is enclosed in an iron grating, is remarkably small, being only 17\ inches in diameter. The "jolly millers" who dwelt in the last century, and during a great portion of the present, would be rather astonished to find the ponderous old wheel displaced by such a pigmy. But then it makes up for its small size by the number of its revolutions — not less than 360 per minute. This drives a counter shaft at the rate of 185 revolutions per minute, and this, with the aid of 60 feet of 8£ inch double belt-

ing, sets the whole of the machinery in motion. When I entered the building, the whole thing was put in working order by simply turning a small wheel, 12 inches in diameter, underneath the grinding stones. There was very little vibration, which somewhat surprised me, as I was prepared for a good deal, fi'om ihe look of the building. I went to the top stories in order to thoroughly satisfy myself on this head, as I was under the impression that the building was not quite strong enough for the machinery. However, I am now quite satisfied that the architect, Mr. J. C. George, New Plymouth, knew a great deal more than I did as to the capabilities of the building, which is principally composed of galvanised iron.

The fitting up of the machinery was entrusted to Messrs. W. Gibson and Pratt, two experienced millwrights. Their task was not an enviable one, and in consequence of the way the machinery was sent out they con Id not proceed very quickly. But all the difficulties nave been patiently overcome, and the work has been finished in a manner which, under the peculiar circumstances, reflects the highest credit on the mechanical skill displayed. Mr. Hulke, who has but recently retired from' the firm, had the ordering of the machinery, and he paid frequent visits to Hawera siuce it arrived, and also during the time that the mill was in course of erection. His advice and practical experience were, doubtless, of some service.

The building, water-race, and machinery, have cost nearly .£3OOO. That the industry will be a great gain to the whole district there can be no doubt whatever, especially to the farin-

ing pop^ation. Although farmers in this district may be unable to obtain as large yields as they do in some places in Otago and Canterbury, it will be satisfactory to your readers to learn that the wheat grown in this district has been pronounced by Mr. Webster to be quite equal to the bebt samples which they import from Canterbury. White Tuscan, ho appears to think, is best suited to this district, as it can stand the changes of our climate butter than other varieties. Mr. Webster, however, informed me that a large quantity of chick-wheat, chaff, and other rubbish were mixed with most of the wheat that they purchased. This he attributes to carelessness in dressing the wheat after being threshed, or possibly to some defect in the machinery. Next year he hopes to see this remedied.

Three thousand pounds is a large outlay. Those who show their faith in a district deserve some consideration from its residents. There is a very Jjad road to the mill. It would take a large sum of money to make a good highway of it ; but a small outlay will suffice to metal it, as gravel i/close at hand. Messrs. Websters and McKellar are willing to bear a portion of the cost, if the Eoad Board will consent to metal the road. The Town Board has dove its share. The Eoad Board, composed of farmers, ought to help an industry which affords them a good market, and which will have a tendeucy to create a demand for labor throughout the district. Laborers are consumers, and farmers ought not tv overlook that fact.

The mill will be under the charge of Mr. C. T. Hosking, of Auckland. He has the reputation of being a firstclass mechanic, and is well spoken of as a citizen. Before leaving Auckland he was entertained by the temperance body, and presented with an address. Wo cordially wish the spirited owners of the mill every success, and trust that they will secure large returns for their heavy outlay.