TRIAL OF STONE CRUSHER.

Otago Witness, Issue 1583, 25 March 1882, Page 23

TRIAL OF STONE CRUSHER.

On Saturday afternoon last, about 20 persons assembled at Mr George Calder's quarry, North-East Valley, to witness a trial of the stone-crusher which has been erected for him by the firm of Messrs Kincaid, M'Queen, and Co., who were also the contractors for the machine. The castings of the crusher weigh over six tons, and it is capable of crushing 90 cubic yards of metal per day, a quantity equal to the work of 25 men. The machine, which is driven by a 10-horse power engine, worked admirably, and in the opinion of competent judges it was considered fully equal, if not superior, to the best imported stone-crushers of the same power, while in respect of cost it is said to be much cheaper. During the afternoon a trial of the Owake Mills powder was also made, and the result was eminently satisfactory. A charge of ;51b of powder dislodged a mass of stone which it was estimated would weigh over 50 tons. • Mr M. W. Green, M.H.K., delivered a short speech, in which he congratulated Mr Oalder upon the successful trial of the first Colonialmade stone-crusher. He was greatly pleased that the result so far was satisfactory. It seemed to him that a person who encouraged local industry by ordering what he might require to be made in the Colonies- was a benefactor to his fellow citizens. Just in proportion as local industries were encouraged would the wealth of the Colony increase. Had the stone-breaking machine been imported the Colony would not have been ,a penny richer. So much money would have left, and in return we should have received a stone-crusher; but as it had been locally made it had found employment for skilled artisans, and the ' money remained in the Colony. The machine was admittedly an excellent one, and it had been .produced at a less, cost than it could have been imported for. There were also other causes' for congratulation. The Colonial powder iiad proved most effective, and would probably eventually supersede the imported article; while coal from a new seam in the If ernhill mine had been used for the purpose of getting up, steam, and had given great satisfaction.

Mr Isaac -G-bekn also delivered a short speech, in which he congratulated Mr Cafder on the successful trial of the machinery. , Mr Oalde'e replied thanking the speakers for their kind wishes, and expressing the hope that the work he had started would prove beneficial to the district as well as to himself.