HOMESPUN TWEED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22950, 31 January 1938, Page 7

HOMESPUN TWEED

CANTERBURY VENTURE FACTORY AT AKAROA Preliminary arrangements have boon made for the establishment in Akaroa of a factory for the manufacture of homespun tweed of the style and texture of the tweeds at present being produced in the Highlands of Scotland. A company called the Akaroa Home Spun Tweeds Company is now in process of . formation in Christchureh, and the use of property and buildings suitable for conversion to a factory has been acquired in Akaroa. The Akaroa venture will be the first of its type outside the United Kingdom to use the newly-developed highspeed looms, which are electrically operated. The labour will in the meantime be recruited from the district. Jt is thought that Akaroa will be particularly suited for the new industry because of its climate and supply of spring water, and the choice of locality lias been made only after a thorough survey of the Dominion. Equipment for the factory (looms and spinning machinery) lias been ordered from England, and is expected to arrive next month. It will be installed immediately, and the factory will probafly be in operation early tins year. The 'machinery is of the same tvpe as is used in the Stornoway district (Scotland), and on Lewis and Harris, two islands in the Outer Hebrides. . Mirst of the bc-st quality tweed in England, stated the production manager. Mr. E. J. Gait, last week, was manufactured from New Zealand crossbred wool. Investigation had shown that it was more economical to make 11,0 high quality tweed in the" Dnminion than to pay the shipping charges both ways. Hand-woven tweed bad been made commercially in New Zealand by members of the Guild of Spinners. Dyers and Weavers for the last five years, but the new machinery would make the factorv unique outside the United Kingdom.

MINING NEWS ADDISON'S FLAT DIVIDEND A further dividend of 10 per, cent lias been declared by the directors of Addison's Flat Gold Mining Company. Limited (West Coast), making 30 per cent so far for the current year. A credit balance of L7OO is to be carried forward, after making provision of. £ 135 for income tax. The directors also report that the financial position of the company is sound and the outlook renssuring,

BROKEN HILL SOUTH PAYMENT A dividend of 9d for every os share has been declared by the directors of Broken Hill South. Limited. 'I his is the third quarterly distribution for the current year, the ' previous payment, which was the first since the £1 shares of the company wore subdivided, being Is 3d a share, YIELDS OF COMPANIES Matnki Junction (Murchison). —oloz. from 20,000 yards in 1 -'2 lionrs. Gillespie's Beach (South —s:)oz. in 130 hours. Argo (Rcefton). —Gooz. from 16,000 yards in ].')! hours. Nomina (West Coast 1 ). —640z. from T0.600 yards in 128 hours. Maori (Jullv (West Coast). —51oz. 6dwt. in DO.} hours. Mossy Creek (West Coast). —470z. Idwt. from 10,045 yards in 124} hours. REPORTS OF MANAGERS Mount Lyell /Tasmania). —Fortnight ended January 111; Extraction—North Lyell, 3013 tons; Crown Lyell. 1)07 tons; AVest Lyell, 33.3 US tons; Lyell Comstock, 'J 801 tons. No. 8 level, No. innllock pass rise to (i-'ft through ore; No. !i level, main shaft to s(l!ift (02ft. below No. 0 level), through porphvry. Reduction works: Furnace in blast for full period; 'JI)O7 tons refinery anodes made for current year. Concentrator; Mill operated 33(1 hours and treated 30,711 tons ore, producing 207(1 tons concentrates. Copper refinery: Tank house in operation for nine days of period, 3to tons cathode copper being produced. Total for current year, 3200 tons. RABBIT MARKET IDLE LONDON, Jan. 'JO The market for rabbits was idle. First grade, large, ex store, sold nominally at 23s 6d.