THE AUCKLAND CARTRIDGE FACTORY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8987, 27 February 1888, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE AUCKLAND CARTRIDGE FACTORY.

Among the passengers by the s.s. Wairarapa on Feb. 7 from Sydney was Captain Whitney, of the Auckland Cartridge Factory, and who returns to the colony after a visit to England of nearly a twelvemonth's duration. He came by tho P. and 0. liner Rome to Sydney, reaching that port in time to catch the Wairarapa. Whilo in Melbourne and Sydney he took tho opportunity of seeing the Victorian and New South Wales authorities in reference to the manufacture of cartridge ammunition. It id on the cards that a cartridge factory will also be established in Melbourne, and Capt. Whitney returns to Victoria in about a month or so in connection with these matters. The Australian colonies are also turning their attention to the necessity of establishing a small arms factory, so as to be independent of the mother country in time of war. During his stay in England the War Office afforded him every facility for inquiring into the manufacture of small arms and ammunition. Ho has entered into arrangements with Messrs. Greenwood and Bat-ley, the well-known makers of machinery for the manufacture of cartridges, for the latest style of plant, as used in the Government arsenals. A skilled artificer, who has had 19 years' service in the Woolwich factories, is expected to arrive here with the plant by direct steamer about the end of the month. Part of the plant has already arrived, some 40 cases being stored at the factory, Mount Eden. Nineteen tons of lead havo also been shipped. It is expected that the new plant will be in working order in three months. Nothing has yet been done for the manufacture of machine-gun ammunition, which Admiral Tryon was desirous of 6eeiing attempted in tho colony, it being thought desirable to perfect the manufacture of small arms ammunition in the first place. Captain Whitney is prepared to establish such a factory, as well as one for small arms, if sufficient inducement is offered by the Government.