CONCRETE ELEVATOR

Waikato Independent, Volume XXIII, Issue 3006, 11 January 1923, Page 6

CONCRETE ELEVATOR

FIRST TOWER OF ITS KIND IN NEW ZEALAND

A slendcr-looking steel structure which shoots up into the air from the site of Bryant and May’s new match factory in Tory Street is’ something new in building construction in Wellington. - It is a veritable tower of latticed steel, firmly braced within itself, and stayed by steel ropes on every side. As it rises to a height of 125 ft, the stays stretch high across Tory Street on the western side. The tower, which measures 6ft by 4ft, is based deeply in the ground, alongside a hugo concrete mixer, which is also below the level of the ground. The mixer is covered by a strong shelter shed, against which is piled the supply of river gravel. Upon a door being opened the gravel pours down into the hopper, where it is dry-mixed with cement, after which it gravitates into the revolving mixer, and from there again is shot into a big. steel bucket (holding half a yarcl), which exactly fits the inside square of the tower. Then by electric power the bucket is hoisted t© the height required, and from there is conveyed to any part of the work by means of sectional steel fluming, which cam be easi!/' adjusted as to distance and direction. A great deal of concrete is needed as the building is wholly of steel construction, and all steel has to be encased in concrete.

Some hindrance' has been caused by unavoidable delay in the delivery of the steel, but it is now to hand, and as the concrete bases for all steel work are laid, the work will proceed with dispatch.