A WOOLLEN FACTORY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3205, 6 October 1881, Page 2

A WOOLLEN FACTORY.

("TO THE EDITOB 08 , THE DAILY TBIiBOBAPH.] Sib, —Would you kindly allow me space in the columns of your valuable paper to express my opinion in reference to the desirability of an enterprising public taking steps for the formation of a woollen factory in Hawke's Bay. About twelve months ago I read a lengthy correspondence in the columns of your paper respecting the above, and having at that time only just arrived in the colony from the very centre of a woollen manufacturing district I naturally took a lively interest in the forementioned correspondence. After carefully reading the correspondence for some time I arrived at the well grounded conclusion that the scheme would ultimately drop through. The grounds on which I rested by conclusion were simple. First, I found that tha promoters of the scheme, though imbued with tbe noble spirit of enterprise worthy of tbe highest comuiendotion, poseensed a very imperfect knowledge as to tbe requirements of tbe woollen trade. No doubt they had written to firms in England for information concerning machiuery, and the various appliances necessary for the Huccessful floating of the echeme. Now, Sir, without a person possessed of a competent knowledge of the machinery required making the purchase in England (from a business point of view,) English firms would be sure to recommend the largest, most modern, and costly appliances money could procure. Some one may aek, would it not be wise, supposing it possible to float a woollen factory in Hawke's Bay, to procure the machinery recommended by an English firm. To this I answer no; large and costly machinery may answer in EDgland and Wales, with their millions of population, but to introduce such machinery into this province at the present time would be a sad waste of capital. Secondly, it was my opinion that tbe promoters of the scheme were rather inc'ined to push the thing on to too large a scale to prove a financial success. I have seen companies formed and factories started on a large scale in the home country, but 1 never heard of them proving a financial success, often the reverse. You will observe I am not speaking of cotton factories, but woollen factories, and it is those factories that give employment to a dozen, or from that to twenty persons, that prove remunerative. Now, Sir, having taken careful observations of this province for over twelve months I can safely say I never saw any place so adapted in every posßiMe way for the establishment of woollen factories. The wool is excellent and abundant. If thought fit to work the machinery by water power, which wonld be quite as effectual and much cheaper than steam, then there is an abundance of that precious fluid. The climate also is most suitable for bleaching purposes ; in fact, Sir, should our enterprising men in this province bestir themselves and form a company with a moderate capital, say £3000, then by judicious management and men secured who thoroughly understand the trade there could be floated what in a short time would prove to be one of the most successful industries of Hawke's Bay. Should thpse remarks lead to any inquiry I may say I should be glad to answer any question regarding the necessary machinery required for the successful working of a woollen factory, or describe tbe various processes through which tbe

wool must pass from the fleece into cloth or flannels. Hoping, bir, you will forgive me for trespa?sing so much oa youf valuable sp-ice, —I am, &c, One Acquainted with the Woollen Trade. Waipawa, October 4, 1881.