THE NEW FACTORY

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1934, Page 32 (Supplement)

THE NEW FACTORY

BUILDING MUCH ENLARGED

LATEST PRINCIPLES EMBODIED.

ORIGINAL CURING ROOM DESIGN.

Constructed entirely of reinforced concrete, and embodying all the latest principles of dairy factory construction, the new factory at Toko can be claimed to be the most up-to-date in New Zealand, and one of which the district, and even Taranaki, may well be proud. The main body of the building is 138 feet long by 60ft. 6in. wide (overall dimensions), and on the left there adjc’ J a block 36ft. by 27ft., including the boiler room, workroom, etc. The largest room is 74ft. x 59ft., the making room, in which provision has been made for the accommodation of ten vats. The curing room and packing room are really a continuation of the making' room, the curing room being 59ft. x 51ft. and fitted with the usual shelving. An unusual feature of this room, and one which, as far as is known is unique in New Zealand, is the provision of a continuous air space surrounding all the walls of the roof.' This is in accordance with an idea of the general manager, Mr. W. Taylor, and was designed by the architect, Mr. J. D. Healy, Stratford, to meet his requirements. The scheme provides for the erection of an inner 4Jin. brick wall all round the curing room, giving ample ventilation. Other interesting features of the building include the provision of tiled whey drains in the making room, the construction of the roof in fibrolite, a comparatively new material, and the installation of electric motors for driving all machinery. The drainage system of the factory has received careful attention.

The factory was erected by the oldestablished Stratford building and joinery firm of Jos. W. Boon, at a cost of £4906. Sub-contractors associated with the contrapt were: L. G. Pope, plumbing and sanitary work; Buckley & Son, painting and enamelling; B. J. Kerswill, plasterer; Union Foundries, .boiler manufacturers and ironworkers; J. W. Hinton & Son, bricklayers; and H. Voght, electrician; all of Stratford. The cement was Golden Bay, supplied by Masters Ltd., Stratford, while dairy machinery and equipment was supplied and installed by Messrs McMillan and Fredric, dairy machinery specialists, Stratford, N.Z. agents for Sinus Dairy Machinery.