AUCKLAND MANUFACTURIES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3158, 20 September 1892, Page 2

AUCKLAND MANUFACTURIES.

(IIY OUU TKAVELLINO COIIRK.SPOX»KNT). .Uk Ar.Kx. H.-uivky's Ckka.mkhy, Chkksk

KAOIOIIT, &0., ALBKUT-STUKKT. I THINK I stated that the produce trade, was at present considerably overdone. Tliis is so, but in spite o£ the apparent glut of farm stuff, and consequent poor returns which the growers are receiving for it, it in noteworthy that those manufactures that turn out good.; mostly required in country districts, appear to be the inost busy and prosperous. Evidently the country is healthy, and going ahead, whether the produce market is high or low. The causes for this may not be far to seek. Country settlers have learnt to look abroad, and not as hitherto, lo depend solely upon the local markets for their customers. One of the most tangible results being, "that while the Mtail traje about Auckland aud suburbs, is said to be very bad indeed, with competition never so keen, those firms, as I have said, who manufacture, or deal directly in country requisites are doing wuli." One of these, a'id one which has benefitted very largely uy the export trade in dairy produce, is that which heads the present notes. The first impression that a stranger will obtain upon stepping into Mr Harvey's premises is, that a serious accident is going on among the tin-ware. The clatter among the various articles under process of manufacture, being incessant and overwhelming. It is no use trying to converse m Mr Harvey's workrooms, unless perhaps, it might be by siijns, and it is a relief to get into a quiet office. Waikato settlers who know this firm's line milk cans—which I may add particularly are made of tinned steel—may iiave an idea that this class of goods forms the principal business of the factory ; but it is only one branch of it. Tins for holding butter, honey, syrup, jam, tinned meat-, fish and other edibles, aie turned out by hundreds of thousands, anil forwarded to all paits of the North Island, one dairy firm in Tar.maki, who ship butter to Queensland having already taken over (iO.OOO tins ; aud Air Harvey stated, as a sign of the times, " that the demand for tins to hold such goods is evera-head of the supply.'' Some of the machinery used hero is very ingenious, particularly that for soldering small tins—which latter ore rolled along by an endless chain through liquid solder. Of course it is all in the direction of turning out the largest quantity at the lowest cost; the price of the tins, as Air Harvey explained, having a good deal to do, occasionally—particularly in the jam and fish lrades--with the success or otherwise of the venture. Naturally, I was considerably interested in the new milk cooler, which is expiesslv designed for use by milk-suppliers. It will be remembered that Mes-rs Reynolds and Co., when visiting their Waikato factories, recommended the use of these coolers to their suppliers as a means of improving the quality of the milk, and a large number of them are now being made : in fact, as fast as Air Harvey can make them. The new cooler is :> simple affair, and will require very little 'water; indeed, even where no wat"r is available the thorough ;eration which the milk will receive in passing through it will effectually remove that source of constant anxiety and annoyance to stiuplii-r----dormg the hot months —viz , the evening's milk turning sour. The price of these valuable adjuncts to dairymen will he so moderate as to be within the reach of all. The new cooler will be exhibited at our Waikato show, and if one of them could be shown in full work, it would certainly be interesting to settlers, There is also another invention which .Mr Harvey—who takes a keen interest in dairying mattershopes to exhibit at the same time ; this is a perfect machine for milking cows. A good many people are, I think, possessed with grave doubts as to whether a fitting substitute for the human hand, in the operation of milking, will ever be discovered. However, such a thing would certainly revolutionise the dairying industry in the colonies, where—in dairying as in many other things—the labour problem is very often found to be the most difficult of all.