MANUFACTURE OF SNUFF.

Otago Witness, Issue 1242, 18 September 1875, Page 5

MANUFACTURE OF SNUFF.

Our attention was drawn this week to a, new industry, and one which has not bean established in any other place in the Colony. We allude to the manufacture of snuff, cou« ducted by Mr Max Menderhausen, tobac« coniat, of this town. The manufactory is most complete in its rig, and well worthy o! inspection. Tha proprietor having erected some excellent machinery at a considerable outlay, is thus enabled to turn oufc aa good a snuff as that; imported. On our visit yesterday, the first thing we noticed was a quantity of Nelson tobacco, ou the drying frame, which is used for the manufacture of ordinary snuffs, with some of the American mixed with it. The lea£ appeared to be of excellent quality, and when ground, looked equally as well as that of foreign production. For the kind known as fine Scotch scented, stemß of the American leaf are used only. The iron pestle and. mortar, for grinding; the leaf, which is driven by a handylitfcle water engine, is a pondaroas piece of machinery, and reminds m.c very much of the berdans used on the goldfield^ foi* working tailings. Mr Menderahaua*. informs us that to produce a really first-.Hs^ snnff age is required, and the ground u-bacZt ahould stand at least for twelve month* 1 i appears that a kind of fermentation takes place, and when this is accomplished the snuff is of a much superior quality. Tna •scenting" w a very simple process, only | few drops of the concentrated essence ot roses being required to perfume a pound oi snuff. Notwithstanding the du<y on the American stems, Mr Mendtrshau/en state* that he can supply the Colonial aanff iefoS for 6s a pound, while the imported costs U» ' to 16s. The manufactory is most -our.lotfe m every way, and we certainly w ish th-i'pw, pnetor, who is evidently up to the article h« j prices, m999§ £ **£•

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