The Onehunga Ironworks

South Canterbury Times, Issue 5019, 29 May 1889, Page 3

The Onehunga Ironworks

The Australasian Ironmonger for May (published in Melbourne) contains the following description of the Onehunga Ironworks:— “ An inspection of tbsse works will well repay the visitor for tho time spent, and surprise is manifested by everyone who pays a visit to Mr Hughes,'the present manager. The works are now nearly completed, and in a few weeks will be ready to turn out all kinds of bar iron from f round to 8x f; also sheet iron of the most general sizes. Added to this, a plant for galvanising iron, now in transit from England, with men who are experienced in rolling sheets, will soon be attached. Tho plant and arrangements are very good, and give the impression that all the iron New Zealand requires could there be manu'actured, Tho machinery consists of one 80 h.p, two 50 h.p.,and one twelve horse power engines, two rolling mills with a host of rolls for all sizes of bars, a complete set of sheet rolls, two steam hammers, two shearing machines, one out-off circular saw, and four furnaces which are acting very satisfactorily. Attached to the mill is a foundry and fitting shop, where the company have made all the castings necessary for fixing machinery, floor plates, etc., and are now casting more heavy rolls with sundry goods. ■ Fire bricks are also bqing made of very superior quality on the premises. Tl iie bricks are very favourably received by tho trade, and meet with ready sale, completely stopping importation. In the yard we find large piles of scrap iron with about 800 tons of billet, while the rack contains about 300 tons of finished bars. It is gratifying to find the iron placed on the market is of excellent quality and well-manufactured, in many instances preferred to imported bars. Attention is now being given by the company to blast furnaces, with the prospect of ultimately shutting out imported pigs. Iron ore of various qualities, with iron sand is obtainable in almost limitless supply. It is perhaps safe to predict that within a short time these works will be able to turn out every bar and ordinary sheet with the great hulk of corrugated iron that the country requires. About 50 men are at present employed. The capacity of the works when completed will be about 300 tons weekly. Bucket and tub making, axles, and various other linos are anticipated, so that in the near future ‘ Sleepy Hollow,’ as Onehunga has been designated, has a fair prospect of becoming a busy manufacturing centre.”