A NEW INDUSTRY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9797, 17 July 1903, Page 2

A NEW INDUSTRY.

KARAKA SAWMILL COUPERAGE. At the invitation of the proprietors of the Karaka Sawmills a number of leading commercial men assembled this afternoon at th© Cooperage recently erected m Nesbitt road to witness what was practically the initiation of a new industry. Though the machinery has been running for about a week, it is only now that it is m full swing, and to-day's demonstration marked the real commencement of business operations. Those who were privileged to be present were unanimous m olfring their congratulations to tlie proprietary on having embarked upon what struck every one as being a very desirable industry, and one that will be extremely serviceable to the district. The plant that has been installed is thoroughly up-to-date, and the remarkable rapidity and smoothness with which the machinery operated. — ]b is capable when m full blast of turning out Hue, well-finished barrels at tiie rate of one m every three minutes — caused very general interest and . admiration. It is the intention of the proprietors to utilise the kahikatea timber cut at their mills at Te Karaka, which is at present being brought to town by waggon, but will, when the railway is open to the Karaka terminus be probably conveyed by rail. The proximity of the works to the railway line running to the wharf gives a special advantage to the industry, the amount of handling required being reduced to a minimum. Some idea of the extent of the industry upon which the enterprising firm have embarked may be guaged when it is stated that they have secured contracts for the manufacture of all the casks required at both local freezing works during the coming season. Last year, at a low estimate, Some 6000 casks were used, the whole of them being imported. The amount of timber thus consumed is considerable, each ,cask requiring 42ft and as the • price of the timber is 12s per 100 ft, it will be seen that the opening of a local timber industry, combined with a cooperage works of this sort will m the expenditure on timber alone save over £1500 per annum to the district. To show further the extent of the industry it may be mentioned that it is estimated that the manufacture of 6000 casks will consume some 45 tons of hoop iron, besides rivets and dowels m large quantities." The plant, besides cask manufacture, is capable of turning out cases of every size and description, and it is hoped to develop a good trade m the supply of boxes for the dairy industry and fof various commercial purposes. Tubs also are another item that may be put upon the local market. The industry, when m full swing, will give employment to half a dozen men. The machinery consists of a swing saw for cross-cutting ; a stave machine for bevelling and shaping the staves ; a head machine, on the principle of the lathe, which carves and turns the heads ; a chiming and cro/.ing machine, for bevelling .and grooving; a hoop-iron machine, for rounding and bevelling the iron with which the staves are bound together; and the whole is driven by a 10 h.p. Tangye oil engine. The machinery, with one exception, is the patent of Mr John Russell, the wellknown cooper of Christchurch, and was manufactured by Messrs Scott Bros, of that town. The exception is an American swing-goose sa.w t a beautiful little tool, with a speed of 1600 revolutions a minute, which cuts as clean as a plane. There are only six cooperage works m the colony as completely equipped as this one. " Mr J. Bean, formerly foreman cooper at Messrs Nelson Bros., is m charge.. One thing that struck tthe visitors this afternoon was the excellence, of the material that is being used. The Karaka timber is remarkably fine m the grain, free from knots and faults, and planes ■with a beautiful polish. It should be m large local demand for many purposes.