Brick Works at Patea.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11635, 16 March 1901, Page 2

Brick Works at Patea.

■ » ■ ■■ — OPENING CEREMONY. In view of tho necessity for a better supply of bricks in Taranaki Messrs Walter Matthews, late of Inglewood, and H. Graves, of Eltham, recently bought Mr White's interest in the brick kilus at Patea and at once arranged to set up a Hoffmann kiln. The works are approaching completion and the proprietors invited a number of business people from all parts of the district to make an inspection on Thursday. In response to the invitation there was a large gathering, to whom Mr Matthews explained thj working of the kiln, which is a substantial structure capable of turning out 84,000 bricks every fortnight. Over 300,000 bricks were used in the contruction of the kiln, the smoke stack ,of which is 80 feet high. The kiln itself, which with the exception of one at Wellington, is the only one of its kind in the North Island, consists of 12 chambers built round a general flue. A fire is started in the first chamber and by means of flues the fire is carried round the rest, the process taking two weeks to complete. Fuel in the shape of VVestport slack is let through small openings from the top, thus keeping the lire going. When the fire has traversed the whole of the chambers the first chamber 13 drawn and fresh bricks put in, on the fallowing day the second chamber is drawn; and so a continuous process is kept up of dried bricks coming out and new ones goinpr in The kiln was built under the supervision of Mr Oughton, of Wellington, the bricks being inado by Mr White. Mr F. Tonks, of Wellington, was the architect, and the whole work has been well carried out. During the building of the kiln Mr White's usual supply of bricks for Taranaki has been stopped, but the new firm will be able to furnish all requirements, and do away with the necessity of sending to Dannevirke and elsewhere for bricks. After an inspection of the works the company, numbering about 40, were in vited by the proprietors to a luncheon laid out in one of the drying sheds, Mr Allan being the caterer. Mr R. A. Adams presided, and after the usual loyal toast, proposed " Success to the Proprietors," Messrs Matthews and Graves. He complimented them upon their energy and enterprise, and wished them all the success they deserved. Mr Matthews, in reply, thanked the Chairman for his good wishes, and referred to the consideration the firm had received from the Harbour Board. Mr Graves also replied, saying he thought there was a goqd scope for the industry in Taranaki. Other toasts were propo^d, including 11 Local Bodies,'* proposed by Dr. Gillon and responded to by Mr McKonna ; " Trados," proposed by Mr Aitchison, and responded to by Messrs Holmes, Hardley, and Syme; " The Visitors," proposed by Mr Rossi ter, and responded to by Mr Cowan ; and " The Press," proposed by Mr Adams, and responded to by Mr Holloway (Patea Press >, and Mr W. C. Weston (Taranakt Herald). Mr Hardley, in the course of his remarks, referred to the necessity for the extension of the telephone system between Hawera and Patea, thus completing the connection of Wanganui and New Plymouth. During the luncheon Mr Deane, on behalf of the citizens of Patea, presented Mp Mattjjowp with a gold brick in commemoration of the opening qf the works. He spoke highly of the firm's enterprise, and of tho goodfellowship existing between the people of Patea and Mr Matthews. Mr Matthews briefly expressed his thanks. Mr T. W. Rapley varied the proceed ings by a humourous song. A pologies for absence were received from Messrs V. McGuire, M.H.R.; H. Brown, Inglewooi; R. H. Nolan, Hawera; W Spurdle, Wanganui; G. L- Cooke, Hunterville, Pnblic Works; Mclntosh, Railway Engineer, Wanganui; and many oth'rs. The meeting broke up after the usual vote of thanks to the chair, all unanimously voting tho luncheon a great success. There scorns to bo a big demand in Taranaki for bricks, and tho gentlemen who have taken this up deserve every sucpeas in their enterprise.