BELFORD FLOUR MILLS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3288, 11 April 1885, Page 3

BELFORD FLOUR MILLS.

Theae mills are Bituated at the bottom of North street, and face the sea, and are without doubt one of the handsomest blocks of buildings m the district. Through being connected by a siding with the main line of railway, the owners are enabled to send their flour to any part of New Zealand, or to ship it direct into the vessels, at the Timaru wharf, without the slightest delay or trouble and can also receive their wheat direct from the country. When the mills were taken over by Messrs Richard Allen and Co., they held but a second-rate position, but now, through the energy and enterprise of the firm, they possess one of the most complete plants m the co ony. To put the mills m their present state required no small amount of trouble and outlay of capital, and as Messrs Allen and Co. were determined to turn out flour second to none m New Zealand, they despatched Mr Richard Allen to England to procure the finest and most complete flourmaking machinery that could be got. Mr Allen, whilst at Home, visited several of th» largest mills m England, and so had a favorable opportunity of inspecting the different makes of flour-milling machinery. The result.of his visits was that he was able to select their present magnificent plant from among the best, of the .English, American, German and , Hungarian manufactures, but this was only: after repeated and careful trials of the machinery had been made on New Zealand wheats. During Mr Allen's absence, however, the firm were not idle, but were making extensive alterations and additions to the buildings, ready for the fitting up of the new machinery. The plant, which is now m full working order, was erected under the direct superintendence of Mr J. W. Harrison, engineer, who came out from Home specially for the purpose. On the ground floor is one of Messrs Spencer and CHllett's horizontal compound condensing engines of 30 horse- power, bedded into 10 feet of solid concrete, with a fly wheel 12 feet m diameter, weighing 4i tons. This wheel is driven with a speed of 62 revolutions to the minute by a high and low pressure cylinder of 14in and 2ft m diameter respectively, the piston rods both having a stroke of 2ft 6in. Thepiston rods and ahafts are made of steel, with wrought iron cranks. Attached to the engine is a horizontal air pump and condenser, and the cylinders have doublo-action steam jackets. To either of the cylinders can be fitted one of Richards' improved patent steam-engine indicators. ■ This instrument is a very ingenious contrivance, and represents m a graphic manner the pressure, the vacuum, and the back pressure which exists m the cylinder to •which it is fitted. Messrs Gallaway and Sons were the makers of the boiler, which is a tubular compressed steel one, 22ft long by 6ft 6in m diameter, and can be worked at a pressure of 801bs to the inch. One noticeable feature on this boiler is one of Hopkinson's patent safety valves. The chief part of tho driving power ia transmitted to the upper main shaft from the fly-wheel by an 18in belt, and part by the main shaft, which works the stones and gets -up sp.^ed for the rolls. To carry the grain and flour to tho different floors vertical elevators are fitted up, to which, are- attached screw boxes, which' carry the stuff to the different machines. The wheat, after being put through the cleaning and brushing machinery, goes through the rolls and iB then gradually broken up, ground and purified. Before it finally comes out as finished flour, it has to pass through on the first floor— 6 scalpers, 3 graders, 1 dusting reel, 1 dust collector, and 2 18in. exhaust fans ; on the second floor — 7 centrifugals, 5 purifiers and 1 bran duster ; and on the third floor — 10 rolls, 1 purifier, 1 centrifugal and 2 pairs of stones, m all 40 machines. To prevent accidents from occurring, all shaftings aud beltings that are at all dangerous aro carefully fenced off, and to make communication with all parts of the building easy, electric bells and speaking tubes have been fitted up on all the floors. - Half of the main building is used, for gtoring the wheat and flour, aud over the engine-room is situate the offal store. Messra Allen and Co. reckon that when the mill is m full working they will be able to put out something like 24 tons of flour per day They are to be complimented on bavin) made the mills such a valuable acquisition U the: local industries of the district, and it conclusion we wi«h them every success ii their undertaking.