THE PARLIAMENTARY VISIT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4428, 4 July 1882, Page 3

THE PARLIAMENTARY VISIT.

THE KAIAPOI WOOLLEN FACTORY.

The members of the Legislature at present on a holiday visit to the Ohristchuroh World's Fair, devoted the last day of their outing* to an inspection of ons of the most important industrial institutions of Canterbury, the works of the Kaiapoi Woollen Manufacturing Company. The first part of the programme was a visit to the Company's tovra establishment — the recently-erected warehouse and clothing factory in Oaahel street Hast. Bhortly before noon, about fifteen of the legitlatore, including Sir Q-. M. O'Borke, together with several members of the City Council and a few of tb^fe representatives of the British and Foreign Court? at the Exhibition, assembled at the warehouse, and were shown over the premises by Mr Isaac Wilson, Chairman of the Directors,. Mr Shanks, the manager, and Mr T. Gh Pascoe, manager of the clothing factory. The first to olaim attention was the storage department, situated on the ground floor, where large quantities of the best productions of the Kaiapoi looms are stacked awaiting removal to the factory, or the shops of customers. The first floor, whither the party next proceeded, is devoted to the purposes of ft cutting room, and tailoring department, the number of persons being upwards of 100. After spending some time in the inspection of this room, the visitors ascended to the second floor, where about a hundred operatives, chiefly women and girls, are engaged in hand and machine sewing. The general neatness and orderly appearance of the rooms elicited warm commendations from the visitors, while the evident excellence of the work produced was also the subject of favourable comment. The rooms appear warm, well lighted and ventilated, and suitable in every way for the purposes for whfah they were constructed. It may be noted that the clothing factory, which commenced operations some Bixteen months ago, with less than a score of work people, now employs 210 hands, 31 of whom are men and boys. Upwards of 40 sewing machines of various makes are used in the establishment. After inspecting the warehouse and factory," the visitors proceeded to the railway station, where a special train was in readiness to convey them to Kaiopoi.