THE MILBURN LIME AND CEMENT COMPANY, LTD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21019, 7 May 1930, Page 22

THE MILBURN LIME AND CEMENT COMPANY, LTD.

The present Milburn Lime and Cement Company grew out of a syndicate which , was formed in 1886 to take over the works which had previously been carried on by the late Mr J. M'Donald. It is interesting to note that Sir John Roberts was one of the members of the syndicate. The present company was formed a few years later, and production* was started at Pelichet Ray in 1890. Operations were commenced in a modest way, and though difficulties bad to be overcome on account of a preference for overseas supplies, the local product soon established a reputation, which led to a demand involving the company in an almost continuous problem of an extension of works. A year or two ago the stage was reached when -the company had to decide whether it would go to the heavy expense involved in remodelling and extending the works at Pelichet Bay, or seeking for' a new site and erecting a new plant. The latter course was decided upon, and a site was selected at Burnside, where the company owns 100 acres of land. The standard of cement turned out at Pelichet Bay was higher than the British standard specification, and the product manufactured at Burnside is even better than that produced at Pelichet Bay. In addition to the plant supplied from Britain, a considerable amount has been installed by local firms. Conveyors have also been supplied locally, and are giving every satisfaction. • Astonishing automatic' triumphs, have been introduced into the new works. All ■ ' effort is compressed, guided, and expanded by means of springs and levers and switches than can be manipulated with one hand. Mechanical ingenuity, physical processes, a chemical formulae and correctness take the raw material in handat the portals of the works, and present it in a comparatively short time' as the , finished article, with the expenditure of no more energy bn the part of the stall than that which it requires for the manipulation of switches and levers, and* the supervision and care of the machinery. The dry process which was in operation at Pelichet Bay has been replaced by what is known as the wet process, which eliminates the dust nuisance to a large extent, and facilitates the better control of the raw material and the maniifature of a more uniform product. ~ The equipment includes 32 electric motors, the aggregate power of which amounts to 2100 horse-power, The new machinery is capable of an output of nearly 5000 tons per month. . Not the least of the company’s assets is its property of 1200 acres at Milburn, where large quantities of lime are produced every year for the benefit, of the agricultural and pastoral community.