NEW ZEALAND'S ARSENAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6995, 8 December 1909, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND'S ARSENAL.

Awav up in Auckland there is what ,is virtually the New Zealand arsenal—the big works of the Colonial Ammuni'tion Company, Ltd. To people not familiar with the requirements of this 'industry when it is carried on on _ the Imost approved modern lines, a visit to itho Works is instructive. In most roidustrios, things can be done, on oocaision, carelessly—cheap material may bo lused at a pinch, work scamped. But 1 there is nothing of that sort ever dreamt of in the works of the Colonial Ammunition Company. The making of one of their cartridges is a succession (of precise processes. First of all, the (material is drawn from the most approved sources. Every ounce of stuff that comes in to the works is examined by experts, and any not judged, up to standard is rejected. "When the cases are made, each is thoroughly tested, and again the slightest detected flaw counts as condemnation. Then the shells are charged by hand. In shot, the grades run from No. 1 to No. 12. But that does not suffice. A great authority has said that the number of shot is more important than the weight. In "C.A.C." cartridges there is a perfect (combination in both numbers ' and 'weight of shot to the utmost degree of ■precision. The Colonial Ammunition Company uses, in addition to shot of the staple or ruling grades, the Nos. i\, SJ, .and 6i, so popular for game shooting •iii England. These numbers are not ito be had in any other cartridges sold ■in the Dominion. When the shot is .Loaded and the wads are in place, the (cartridge undergoes another rigorous exfamination. It is a rule that no possible loophole must be left for mischance. A' company that makes cartridges for ■the most fastidious sportsmen and rifleIshots can afford to take no risks. The iC.A.C. takes none. As its cartridges tare not brought oversea and exposed to the hazard of deterioration inevitable •in a vovage through .the tropics, tbey 'aTe never stale. In the shops they never have a chance to stale: the demand is too great and regular. . *