Reid and Gray's Works.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 112, 5 June 1883, Page 3

Reid and Gray's Works.

(Otago Daily Times.)

It is now 10 years since the well- known firm of Eeid and Gray commenced business in Princes street south as manufactures of agricultural machinery; and from that date their business has steadily increased, till at the present time the firm employs upwards of 230 hands. ( 'ur representative was kindly conducted through the premises by Mr Gray. Our steps were first directed to the ground floor of the new building, which is used exclusively for carpenters' work. H«re a new engine has been erected for driving tlie wood- work ing machinery alone. One of the most interesting machines on this floor is what is known as the doubleshaping machine - used for shaping dray felloes, bent shafts, or curved work of any description. The second flat of the now building will be utilised as a show and store room, where all the implements manufactured by the firm will be opened for inspection by the public. We notice one of the jointed pulverising disc-wheel harrows, which are now coming greatly into favor with Colonial farmers. These harrows are only a recent invention, and three or four years ago they were scarcly heard of in New Zealand ; yel during the last two seasons Messrs Ecid and Gray manufactured 300 and this season they expect to turn out 200. Some of tin? harrows have combined with them machines for sowing grain, and more particularly grass needs. Another implement which has lately come into vogue with i olonial farmers is the grain-drill, of which last season some 90 odd were sent to various parts of the Colony. Extra arrangements for

sowing grass and turnip seeds or guano are also made to fit on to these drills, which are made at a cost ranging from £22 to £41. This season it is in» tended to devote a creat de;i' of attention to reapers and-liinders, it being the object of the firm to turn out fully 100. Last year only eight turned out. These gave general satisfaction, and the firm were successful in gaining first honours at the Taieri and o:im:iru trials against nil comers, and the prize offered for the best all-round machine at the Taieri exhibition. In the fitting shop a number of ploughs, cormirills, and harrows were being fitted up. A number of men were busy with the doublefurrow ploughs for the manufacture of which tlie firm have now obtained a more than Colonial reputation. Some of the processes are very interesting, the ease with which the flat steel plates for the mouldbonrds are bent in ihape by a 10-ton hydraulic press being marvellous. Last season 76 doublefurrows, 60 swing, and 40 three-furrow ploughs were manufactured. These are s^nt all over the Colony, and the doublefurrows go even to the sister < 'olonies. Among other machines made by the firm may be mentioned their well-known backdelivery reapers, models of durability and simplicity, of which 200 are made every year, and common chaff cutter and horsepower driving gear, of which, during the year, about 150 of each are manufactured. The firm have been awarded prizes at nearly every show in the province, and they have besides 100 silver medals and numerous exhibition certificates in their possession, the Melbourne and two other gold medals and a bronze medal gained at the Sydney Exhibition.