OPENING OF THE DRURY POTTERIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13307, 13 October 1906, Page 6

OPENING OF THE DRURY POTTERIES.

The formal opening of the Drury Potteries ' took place yesterday. The company was represented by Messrs. A. Aickin (chairman of directors), J. E. Tayior, and A. Taine (directors), and a number of shareholders and others were also present. The party from the city were met at' the station by Mi. R. McEwan, mine manager, and taken by the company's locomotive to the works, where they were received by Mr. McMurtrie, manager of the potteries, who showed the visitors the different processes of manufacture. The first kilnful of manufactured goodsconsisting of firebricks of various sizes, gas retorts, assay furnace .slaps, chimney pots, and fancy vases—was being drawn with results highly satisfactory. Mr. McMurtrie,. who has had many years' experi- ' eueo in the working of fireclays, considers ' tho Drury clay to bo one of tho best that he ' has ever handled. The present works consist of a large kiln and chimney stack (the latter built so that two additional kins can be added in the future), a drying shed, 60ft by 100 ft, exclusive of grinding room and engine shed attached. In addition to those ' are the blacksmith's shop and pattern room p and office; an engine of 80-h.p. is installed for grinding and other power. After view- ' ing the works and doing justice to the light refreshments provided a number of the party had a look through the mine to view 1 tho largo deposits of fireclay which will be > used to supply the future requirements of ■ the company.