LOCAL INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 2, 27 September 1917, Page 8

LOCAL INDUSTRY

PAINT MANUFACTURE.

One of the many industries that there is room for in New Zealand is paint manufacture. Chemicals are used -in abundance in the manufacture of dry colours and other paint) products. There are unlimited supplies of various pigments in New Zealand, such as ferno oxide, carbonate' of lime, baryles, ochres,- oxide of iron, gum, kauri, etc. One of the lessons of the wur points directly to tho necessity of developing local' industry, and to ba largely selfsupporting. Australia . has. nearly .£1,000,001) invested in paint uianuiac ture. They are developing the vinous mines which produce oxide, har.yites, whiting, gums, etc., growing linseed, and manufacturing oil, and now turning their attention to corroding white lead from the blue metal. Little has been dene in New Zealand in this respect. Wo sent our good paint and varnish material to Europe and inamlfacturo them there. For Boveral years a factory has been developing in Wingfield Street, Wellington. The building outside has an unpretentious aspect, but inside it is very substantial-looking. The brick walls are thick and capable of carrying several floors. The building is one floor only at present/with cement floor iind ferroconcrete roof, eight heavy girders, each capable of supporting from 35 to 40 tons. These carry the roof over the faotory, which, is flat. The present root is used as a yard. On the girders inside, which aj-e encased m- ! concrete, there are clamps every few feet, and from these casks of colours or pigments a ton weight can be lifted up and placed in any position in the factory. The cost of building material and war conditions prevent extensive alterations to the factory at present. A three-inch shafting extends/ from one end of the faotory to the other, about 90 teot longs numerous pulleys lead to cone mills, mixers, ground rollers, edge runners, water-cooled cone mills, pug mills, and grinders. A platform or mezzaiuiio floor extends from the north to soutti end of tho building. On this floor is stored about CO tons of paint products ready for the oven and grinders. A large oven, capable of holding thirty tons-of .material is built at one the platform. The casks of colours, etc., are rolled into the ovon on the south side, dried and treated, then taken out in. the north end. The material is put into a hopper, and from there through a shute into a grinding machine. A large gas engine with, a 3-ton fly-whcei provides the power for the factory. An electric motor for small cone mills, etc., is also installed. The building is full of products, machinery, etc., ■ and anyone that takes an interest in local industry should see tho manager and. arrange for an inspection of tho building. Many of the local ,-tradesman, that employ painters speak very highly of the enamels, varnishes, oxides, ivad stains produced at tho, factory. The factory products were used on the Gisborne, New Plymouth, and Trentham Hospitals, Wellington Grand Opera House, new police headquarters buildings; also Jarge quantities have been supplied to the Defence Department troopships, and other public Departments. Naturally disappointments and obstacles ..us wt in all new concerns, and Messrs. Jackson and Co. had their share at the start. Since the latest machinory was installed early this year mot- a complaint has reached the ducts are being used in the factoiy as far as possible, and one of the primary objects of the business is to mine and develop Now Zealand materials su.table for paint- and varnish manufacture. The paint and -varnish/ industry is certainly a very interesting • industry, ,surSriM it is by the mysterious uses of chemicals, gums, waxes, «>«. spirits. Mr. W. 0. Morris, the paint and varnish expert to the company, J« educated at Birkenhead College, ana servTd his time in his father's extensive fintorv in the same town. A coVpany is to be formed with the object of developing the im us ry from mother earth to tho cabinet-hmsbed product.