A CHAMPAGNE LUNCHEON.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1952, 5 October 1889, Page 3

A CHAMPAGNE LUNCHEON.

to which a number of gentlemen from Christchurch, Timaru, Geraldine, and Temuka were invited, together with representatives of the Press. Those arriving by the north express were met by a drag, and driven by Mr 0, Story to the works, where those living in more immediate proximity had already assembled. Luncheon was laid in the spinning room, Messrs W. and R. H. Postlethwaite and Messrs B. Brown and R, A. Barker taking the head of respective tables. Among the guests were the Hon. J. T, Peacock and A. E. G. Rhodes, Esq., Dr J. S. Hayes, and Messrs 4. M. Clark, Q. Using Meason, W. Marchant, W. G. Aeplnall, John Anderson (Christchurch), G. Jamieson, W. Shiers, H. B. Webster, ¥. Wilson Smith, J. B. Rutland, E. J. Paul, J. M. Tworaey, W. Meddings, and others. After a liberal luncheon the party was escorted round the works by Messrs Postlethwaite, and the system, of which a brief apoount is given above, explained. Before., departing the guests again assembled in the spinning room, when Mr thanked them for their attendance. They had been invited by 'his son to witness that day the application of electricity as a motor. He had little doubt himself that electricity was the motive power of the future, and that m a comparatively short space of _ time, wherever water power was available, electric motors would be applied to industries requiring cheap and effective power;: In particular was it suitable for the flix industry for by its use all danger of fire waa .done away. During the past month no less than 4 mills had been totally destroyed, all of which woold have been standing had they been worked by electricity. H® would not detain them by making a lorig speech, but invited them before; departing to join him in a gliss of champagne.

Tlie Hon; J; T. Peacock said that if all :bad enjoyed themselyes as much as ho bad, and received such an intellectual tieat, they would not regret their journey ;that d4y;'.: ; Anyone who introduced ; to the cbloVy new machinery was a benefactor, and to Mr R. H.’ Postlethwaita sincere thanks were due. It gave him the greatest pleasure, as one having a great deal to do with mechanical power, to congratulate Mr Postlethwaite upon the manner in which he had'applied electricity to the development of the flax industry,-and to congratulate the company upon I ho advance they, were making. He was glad that Mr Postlethwaite was not confining hia attention to Temuka, but that he meant to attack' Christchurch, and there, by the influence of electricity, l - extend industries at present languishing for want of cheap power. He asked them all to join him in drinking success to the Temuka Hemp Company, coupled with the name of Mr B. H. Postlethwaite. Mr R. H. Postlethwaite, after a few preliminary remarks, said that ho felt justified in calling the installation a success. He had never doubted it himself, and he was pleased to say that from first to last there bad pot been a single hitch. There could be little doubt that electricity as a motive power was coming into favour. During last year in the United States po Jess than 4000 motors of one kind and another- were erected. With the average engine there was fiirt, expense, consequent

annoyance, and increased insurance. Wlith elecricjty, eppepiplly where there was a ientra| r was reduced to a rhinirauni, ami rtiere was neither dirt nor danger. He had said that the machines,,--at the works were a success. By, this, did not mean merely an electrical success;'; a very elaborate electrical kpparaths might, be successfully, erected, blit,at time it might not pay to do it: an example frbm the present warKl.,:i In the days of the old Linseed Company the coal for the eng ne cost abortt £250 per annum; The engjae,' and) rboilet cost some £3OO. Allow- ■ ’ |per cent for interest, depreciation,' and sinking fand ’ the total annual coat of machinery’ would i be £310.. Ndw they paid v a;).rent of £2o' per annum for the nap ;o’f :^ter; the opst ©f the machines'when fixed was £Boo. Interest and sinking fund calculated jat the same rat® par cent. .as jin the former . case, although ; there was nothing like the; depreciation, would, amount to about £l7O ; there was thus; a c’ear saving of £l2O. a year. The macbineT as fixed gave 15 horse . power. The cost 1 of duplication would only..be about £3OO. That is, for £l,lOO 30 Horae power could be obtained, and interest proportionately decreased. was estimated on a working day of 9 hours, or running full time, as was the case with most mills, the saving could bo trebled. He trusted shortly to establish a station in Chrislehurch, and was so confident as to the result that he was prepared to enter into guarantees against breakdowns, and submit to a penalty if the power was inoperative. ,l , Mr Postlethwaitefer remarks were , listened tp.,j?.ilh attention, and, after a few congßafuialor.y: Expressions, the visitors departed.