Local Industries.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3164, 9 April 1879, Page 2

Local Industries.

AfAJSD GK PJBIGB'S IBol* WOBKS. The extensive iron works of this enter* prising firm, Messrs A. and Gt. Price, is undoubtedly the chief of our local industries, both from the number of hands the firm employ and great favor with which their work is received all over the colony. While other industries have been retrograding and dying out, the Messrs Price's business has gone on increasing in importance year by year till they are able to compete successfully with firms having the advantage of being located in large centres of population. The firm at present employ over sixty men, all told, a large" proportion of whom are' skilled hands, and command high rates of wages. In connection with the different branches of the trade, there are on the extensive premises; of the firm moulding, fitting^blacksmiths' and boiler shops, and each branch is fully employed. The boiler shop, which has only recently been erected, is a large galvanised-iron building, in which 14 hands are at work. The firm is at present turning out four marine boilers of various dimensions, the workmanship in which is of very superior quality. The machinery in . the boiler shop consists of a large punching and cutting machine, rollers for bending the iron plates, etc. The foreman of this branch is Mr T. Vangemert. In the fitting shop the compound inverted surface engines for the Coromandel Steam Boat Company are standing ready for shipment. These engines are of 25 horse power nominal, and would be a credit to any engine maker in the colony. At a little distance from them is a pair of 20 horse power engines of the same description, for the TeKopuru Sawmill Company, which are in a forward state. There is also being made a pair of inverted high pressure engines, representing 25 horse power nominal, for Mr J. C. Firth's new steamer intended for the Upper Thames trade. These will shortly be ready for delivery. An 8-inch cylinder engine is being made for'

Messrs Moore and Snowling's steamer, and a 10 horse power high pressure engine with pumps, etc., for the boat Mr Stone is building for the Thames Produce Company. The propellers, shafts, and other, incidentals of these engines are lying about the shop in various stages of progress. The blacksmiths are chiefly employed just now on the wrought iron work of the engines we have above enumerated, and the moulders on the castings for the same. Some time ago the firm contemplated embarking in a new branch of the iron workers' business, viz,, iron shipbuilding, but, being unable to secure a suitable site for a slip, had to give up the idea. This is to be greatly regretted, as the inauguration of such an industry here would have greatly increased the material prosperity of the district.