A WIRE-NETTING MACHINE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1899, 26 June 1890, Page 16

A WIRE-NETTING MACHINE.

A machine for making wire-netting is a novelty indeed in New Zealand, but one may now be seen working daily at Mr J. W. Faulkner's premises in .Cumberland street. The machine is Mr Faulkner's patent, and was made for him at Home. He gave a public trial of it on Saturday, at which several prominent citizens attended, and everything passed off satisfactorily. A coil of wire is first wound by small self-acting machines on bobbins, which are then placed in the principal machine, while another coil is worked into the form of a large spring, and this is also placed on the machine. A simple movement of a crank then sets the machine in motion. It is not cur intention to give a detailed account of the many points connected with the machine, not only because it would be almost useless to do so to give anyone a proper idea of the working, but because Mr Faulkner isnaturally very reticent about some important matters. The machine has cost him no small amount of pains, and no one will deny his right to take what action he pleases to prevent others from copying his devices. Suffice it to say that the netting is speedily turned out in perfect order, and is in every way equal, if it does not actually excel, thehand-made netting. Galvanised or black steel wire can be worked, and netting of any breadth, from lft to 10ft, is turned out, of either the solid or the stranged selvedge pattern . This is the only machine of its kind in the southern hemisphere, and has been patented throughout this colony and Australia. Mr Faulkner complains of having to pay duty amounting to £73 on the machine while the netting which it makes is allowed into the country duty free. Mr Faulkner estimates that he can turn out a mile of wire per diem, and is prepared to supply this length at any time, with standards and strainers complete. Mr Faulkner has also introduced into use and patented a very strong angle iron standard, and he is now supplying the Government with them for railway line Bide purposes. The standard is angle iron only in that portion inserted into the ground, and the welding at the joining gives great strength just where it is required, namely, at the surface of the ground. In a few months he will be in a position to make wire with a mesh of any size. The wire made on Saturday had a diamond-shaped mesh about 4in x 4in.

Lieutenant-colonel Hume assumes office as commissioner of police at the end of the month, Major Gudgeon having accepted a judgeship of the Native Land Court. Major Kemp received a telegram on the 19th from Mr Lewis, Under-secretary, that Te Kooti, with 300 followers, had left Taupo intending to come to Wanganui. Major Kemp at oncesentmon to stop Te Kooti from coming, and wired Mr Lewis that Te Kooti would not como beyond Mnrimotn, as he had sent messengers to stop him. Sunlight Soap, Gold Medal Paris Exhibition 1889.— [Advt.]