Mr Henderson’s Saw Mill.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2027, 7 February 1887, Page 2

Mr Henderson’s Saw Mill.

During the last twelve months there have been many elans of pi egression to tbe Morri son's Bush district, aud chief am erg them is the erection of Mr Hendei eon's saw mill opposite tbe new schoollionse and situate at the corner of the road which turns onward tower Js Mariinbotough. Built in the midst of s finely wooded district there is plenty of material to work upon for years to come, tome of the trees being fine specimens oi Nature’s handiwork Nine months ago the spot which now presents tucb an animated appearance was a large grass paddock whensheep quietly grazed, aud we doubt if any person in tbe district was sanguine enough 18 months ago to believe that the busy sounds of labor would be heard to the extent now reached. A large mill lias been erected employing a number of hinds and supplied with powerful and the latest improved machinery. A tramway has been laid down a mile and e. half long which skirts round a low lying spur to the bush at the back. Half a mile of this tram has been laid with steel rails and all the curves are also of this metal. Coming back to the mill itself we find tbe whole of tbe arrangements have been made conducive to a saving of labor. The tough hewn logs are rolled in upon the one side and passed through tbe several stages of cutting, to the other, in a most methodical manner. Tbe machinery comprises a splendid 24 h.p. engine with tabular bolter set in brickwork ; an iron travelling bench, 80 feet long, with twin saws for breaking down logs ; a brass breast bench ; a planing machine by Haigh and Co., which possesses tbe latest and most improved ideas iu connection with the placing work, and which turns out all kinds of moulding, floor, ing, lining, Ac., then there ia a powerful jib crane for lifting timber to the weight of three tons off the bench and on to tbe wagons ; and the necessary blacksmith's shop with its appurtenances. There is one very ingenious contrivance in connection with this mill that speaks well (or tbe inventive faculties of the proprietor. The accumulation of saw dust in a mill has always been a trouble to saw. millers, but Mr Henderson has constructed a sort of box diain through which a belt with pieces of wood attached, runs (upon tbe same principle ss a Californian pump). Tbs saw dust falls into a sink close by the ssws and by means of the wooden chocks fastened upon this belt, which revolves continually, is carried away to the other side of the mill. It is Mr Henderson's intention to adopt a like plan for carrying sway tbe chipped wood A very good water supply has bean obtained by sinking a little distance from tbe mill and this is brought by steam power to different parts of the building. Behind tbe mill are some cottages for the bands employed. At present a supply of timber is being sent to the Forty Mile Bush for bridge building purposes, aiid now that tbe contractor (or the two bridges in tbe Lower Valley is about to start operations, Mr Henderson will supply timber for them. In addition to these contracts s large quantity is sent to Wellington.