OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue XXIII, 5 December 1903, Page 21

OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

ONEHUNGA DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL. The Onehunga public school was opened some years ago under the headmastership of the late Alexander Grant, M.A. After doing good work for the cause of education fur several years he was appointed to the headmastership of AVainiate High School. His successor, Mr, R. D. Stewart, took charge in 1888. During his term of office, nine years, the school was noted for good work, and obtaining scholarships. In 1897 Mr. Stewart was appointed to the position of headmaster at. the Wellesley street school, and was succeeded by Mr. W. N. Mclntosh, the present headmaster. Since Mr. Mclntosh’s apointnaent the school has maintained its reputation for good work and obtaining scholarships. In June this year the school was established as a district high school, and so keen was the demand for free secondary education, that all the accommodation was taken up the first week of opening. There are now 650 pupils on the roll, 92 of these being high school pupils. Mr. N. Winter. 8.A.. and Mr. T. F. Warren, an undergraduate of the New Zealand University, are assistants in the secondary department of the school, the whole school being under the direction and supervision of tlie headmaster. In. 1901 the Board of Education built the present up-to-date building, which, according to expert opinions, is the best of its kind in the colony.

KEMPTHORNE, PROSSER & CO.’S NE,v ZEALAND DRUG CO., LTD

EXHIBIT OF WESTFIELD MANURES ETC., AUCKLAND SHOW.

Amongst the varied attractions on the ground this year there was none which could be described as more in keeping with the general character of an agricultural show than this striking exhibit to which had been given a prominent position. The exhibit consisted of a fine display of those high-grade fertilizers which are known by the name of “Westfield,” put up in bags of IJ cwt. each, just as they are for sale purposes, also other lines of this company’s own manufacture, such as their “KJ?.” Improved Sheep Dip, Pure Linseed Oilcake. Kemp’s Sheep-branding Fluid, “Westfield"’ Fowl Grit in 141 b bags; also “Westiield” Garden Manure in 141 b bags. To thin-may lie added » large number of other farmers’ requisites, such as i ennets, e&eese and butter colourings, disinfectants, caustics, bluestone, baking powder, and many other lines which tome into the daily life of the farmer and tloek-ownev, these latter goods being tastily labelled and of bright colour, were dotted here and there amongst the more substantiallooking samples of manures, and generally te.ided to make a very attractive and exceedingly interesting exhibit. The “Westfield” Manures shown consisted of superphosphates, pure bonedust, bonedust and blood, and a fine range of special manures for every variety of crop. There were also guanos, sulphate of ammonia, nitrate of soda and other kinds of chemical manure salts. The climate of this country is of such a nature that cropping of one kind or another is carried on all the year round, hence the question of artificial fertilisers is always before the farmer. The season just coming in is “turnip sowing,” which commences late in December, and continues through the following month. This is a most catchy crop, and it is therefore necessary that a reliable fertiliser be used, farmers will no doubt be impressed with the merits of the “Westfield” turnip manure, especially after their visit to the show and inspection of the samples seen there. We are informed that the sale of the “Westfield” manures is increasing very rapidly, necessitating the erection of new plant and machinery to cope with the vast output. This is exceedingly gratifying to the proprietors, and shows the confidence that farmers have in the manufactures of the company. It has truly been said “That whoever would make two cars of corn or two blades of grass to grow upon a spot of ground where only one grew before would deserve better of mankind and do more essential service to his country than the whole race of politicians put together.” And as manures play such au important part in the production of

the soil we may fairly give to those made nt Westfield that measure of praise which is their just due.

The “K.V.” improved sheep dip is now a standard Tine, and is rapidly taking the place of the more expensive imported sheep dips. It is cheap and effective, also lasting in its deadly effect on parasite life. It also improves the quality and quantity of the wool. Those who liave used the dip from one end of the colony to the other give it the character of being just “what is wanted” for flock owners. Kemp’s sheep-branding fluid is another line which has a large ami steady sale for branding sheep after shearing. It is made in three colours, black, red and blue. We are informed that this fluid has many special qualities. It may be applied to the sheep, whether wet or dry, and will not smear. It is absolutely permanent on the sheep, comes clean out of the wool when put through the scour, thus saving that wool which hitherto used to be wasted. These good qualities should commend the fluid to the attention of all sheep owners. The company also manufacture for sale at Westfield large quantities of sulphuric and muriatic acids. These were not shown on account of their corrosive nature, but when it is known that hardly any manufacturing industry can be carried on without one or other of these acids, it will be seen how important they are to our national prosperity. The Westfield Chemical Manure Works are situated on the main Waikato railway line, about eight miles from Auckland. This is a commanding position for distributing the products of the works, giving economical access to the Waikato, and for shipping purposes to the ports of Auckland and Onehunga. This successful New Zealand company have also large chemical works at Burnside, near Dunedin, where they carry on the same class of operations in the manufacture of fertilizers, etc., as at Westfield. Thus it will at once be seen that they endeavour to cater for the requirements of farmers and flock owners from one end of the colony to the other. How successfully they do so may be gauged by - the continued increase in their annual output, and the excellent reports they receive every - year from I hose who have used their goods, whether fertilizers, sheep dip or other of their wellknown lines. These works are not supported because they are local industries, but because they supply goods which make their mark; in fact, make money in the bank for the users.

WANGANUI’S WATER SUPPLY’. In less than three months rhe pipe track for Wanganui’s new water supply will be. completed, and more than half the pipes will have been laid.- “Of course, everything depends upon the weather, but it, may safely be predicted that ere another summer is experienced Wanganui will be drawing its main water supply from the Okehu,” remarks one of the local papers. “There are not a few residents who have ventured the opinion that the scheme cannot possibly be. carried out within the engi-

neer’s estimate, but appearances do not indicate such a state of affairs will occur. Mr Mestayer’s estimate for labour alone was £27,000, and with two-thirds of the work done only a little over £BOOO has been expended. As to the quality mid quantity of water available, the prospects are most certainly very bright. There appears to be sufficient, flow at the reservoir site to fill two or three 18-incli pipes, and the reports of the quality are most favourable, one expert giving it as his opinion that the Okehu water for household purposes is equal to the best waters of the Old World. Then, as to pressure, the source of supply is 800 feet above tlie level of the town, and a reservoir is to be formed at Westmere so as to reduce if. otherwise it would be too strong for the mains at present laid throughout the borough. On the whole, therefore, there seems reasonable ground for faking a most sanguine view of the big scheme, and our readers will join with us in expressing the hope that a like measure, of success will attend the completion of the works as has been experienced so far, and that the Okehu will prove to be all that the promoters of the scheme so confidently anticipate.” The pipes being used in the work are those known as “spiral-riveted.” the chief points in favour of which as

against the cast-iron pipes are that they are considerably cheaper, and being lighter iu construction (here is st great saving iu cartage, laying, and jointing. As to the durability of the pipes, it is claimed that under favourable conditions there is no reason why they should not last for 60 years or more. Mr Mephan Ferguson, who owns the works where they are made, started manufacturing steel pipes about IS years ago. His headquarters are at Melbourne, and branch works have been established in Tipton (Staffordshire. England), Perth (Western Australia), and Wanganui. Briefly described, the process of manufacture is this. The steel, which is an eighth of an inch in thickness and about twelve inches wide, is received in coils of from Soft, to 60ft. in length. These lengths are electrically welded and wound into lengths of 300 ft. The welding operation is simple, but interesting. The two ends are put together, and small pieces of steel placed over them. A powerful electrical current of 200 amperes and 105 volts is turned on, and in a second or two the pieces of steel are melted. Operators then weld ihe two pieces into one. After the coils are completed they are then put on a roller and wound on to the riveting and bending machine. The plates are bent to the proper angle, and as i hey are twisted round to form the pipe, holes are punched, rivets are placed in the holes, and the manufactured pipe slowly emerges from the other end of the machine, the various operations we have described occurring almost simultaneously. The pipes are subsequently tested and coated with a preservative material. The contract price for the pipes was about £22,000. and Mr Ferguson has since secured other contracts at New Plymouth and Eltliam.