KAIAPOI WOOLLEN FACTORY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2055, 24 September 1880, Page 3

KAIAPOI WOOLLEN FACTORY.

Yesterday this factory was throyra open for public inspection, and in addition to this the company had a special train of about fifteen carriages run from Christchurch, conveying visitors from town and back free of cost. About 800 availed themselves of this means of seeing the factory, while it was computed that about 300 visitors came in by private vehicles and otherwise from the country. All the machines were in full operation, in faot the mill has now been working nigßt and day for several months, from Monday mornings till Saturdays at noon in each week. The visitors were courteously shown over the premises by Messrs Isaac Wilson, Blackwell and Parnham, the directors, as well as by other shareholders of the company, and the working of each part explained as far as practicable. All the 1100 who passed through expressed their surprise at the progress made, and many * before their visit hardly expected to find so much machinery in operation. Since our detailed description of the factory appeared in the Pbess of March 26th of last year several important additions have been made to the machinery and premises, which may be briefly referred to. The looms have been placed altogether in the recently erected portion of the building, and in close conjunction to the warping mills. Following the process of manufacture, an important addition of a wool-scouring machine has been made, which effects a large saving in labor and soap, and is capable, under the management of two lads, of scouring 20001bs of wool in a day. In the teasing department, a new willow machine has been introduced, which, from its improved construction and easy management, greatly facilitates the process of the wool through this portion of the preparation for manufacture. The latest condensing machine, one of Platt’s, is also to be now found at work. This machine performs the operation of scribbling more satisfactorily than that of anj other on the premises, and includes in its construction all the modern advantages for effectually and expeditiously combing or carding out the fibres of wool prior to the spinning process. Alongside the spinning mules on the upper floor has been introduced a Sykes’ drum winder. This machine is used for twisting three threads into one, and its chief merit consists in the saving of thread it ensures. Should a thread break, one of the little drums under which it is carried to the twister is so sensitive that it immediately stops that portion of the machine till the attendant can repair the damage and give it speed again. This winder also ensures the making of more perfect and regular threads for the higher classes of tweed. Near the lastnamed machine is arranged a 200 spindle twisting frame. On the opening of the factory last year the twisting frame only contained fifty spindles, therefore to keep pace with orders a portion of the mules had to be used for twisting. The twisting is now wholly done at this frame, and the work is accomplished in a far more eatisfaotory way, being extremely even and regularly laid, a feature which may have been noticed in the knitting yarns sent out by the company. In addition to these, on this floor there is an improved bobbin winder. In the upper storey there are about ten knitting ma chinos at work, but the company at present does not seem to contemplate extending that department, judging by the limited space given up to it. On the ground floor eighteen new looms have been erected, and were in full operation in the making of flannels of various qualities, blankets, fancy shirtings, Bannockburn light and heavy tweed, and merino tweeds from 9oz to 16oz per yard. Some of the latter in diagonals, twills, and Venetians were greatly admired for their texture, and subsequently in the finishing room for the admirable way in which they were made ready for sale. Two additional warping mills, to keep pace with the looms, have been lately introduced. At night time the factory is lighted with gas from a largo sized Muller’s alpha gas making apparatus, which was erected and fitted by Mr B. Smith, of Lichfield street, Christchurch. This machine gives every satisfaction ; the rooms are well lighted, and the danger from fire is reduced to a minimum. Another recent introduction is a hydro-extractor, which is just being erected. This is for drying cloth quickly, and is capable of working to 4000 revolutions per minute. It is managed by attaching a steam pipe from the boiler to the small engine attached to the machine itself. It was stated by one of the directors on Thursday that this factory now gives regular employment to about 120 hands. In respect to the future the company contemplate further improvements ; the first will bo the erection of a store for wool and manufactured goods, 60ft. by 50ft., with, upper floor. In the event of new machinery being ordered after the Melbourne Exhibition, new buildings will also be required for it. These are proposed to be 130 ft. in width by 84ft. in length, joining on to the present premises. If this is accomplished the main building of the factory will be 232 ft. long and 130 ft. in width. It is impossible to say too much in favor of the manufactures of this company—wherever they go they may be said to recommend themselves. Some disappointment was felt by the visitors that they could not purchase tweeds or flannels at the works, it being a rule of the company to only sell wholesale, otherwise no doubt a salesman or two might have been kept very busy for a few hours on Thursday. In more than one instance some particular class of tweed or flannel could only be shown in samples or on the loom, so persistent has been the demand, and so low is the stock kept by the orders which for eight or nine months have bean well maintained from all parts of the colonics. It is pleasing to add to the notice of the second public opening of this factory that so large a number of persons passed through without any accident. The special train returned to town about 6 p.m. The applications for new shares close on October Ist.