ASHBURTON WOOLLEN FACTORY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2604, 11 August 1882, Page 3

ASHBURTON WOOLLEN FACTORY.

A correspondent writing from Ashburton sends the following : Beyond the announcements from time to time of the “intentions” of the Ashburton Woollen Factory Company, and short reports of the progress made with the preliminary work in connection with its formation, the general public have up to the present been unable to get any ocular demonstration that the company really meant to carry out within a reasonable space cf time any of the projects that have been so freely discussed and fondly hoped for by every loyal and patriotic resident of what is destined to become, at no very remote period, one of the most prosperous and important inland towns of the Middle Island of New Zealand. It is true that the fact of the company having purchased a block of about eleven acres of land close to the river on the Alford Forest road has been pretty generally known, and occasionally two largo inverted V shaped sheds erected thereon have attracted some slight notice, but except to the initiated, the contents of these sheds have been shrouded in mystery. Those, however, who have felt interested enough to enquire, have readily been informed that these sheds contain a considerable amount of the necessary machinery requisite for tho manufacture of woollen fabrics of all descriptions, and that in the course of a few months the company contemplated having the machinery erected and in working order. The company has now made a further and important step onward towards the completion of their plans. On Tuesday last a contract for the first portion of the permanent building was signed, and on Wednesday the energetic secretary, Mr Pcyotz, was to be seen on the ground, tape in band, measuring and giving instruction* to the representative of an enterprising Ashburton firm of builders where to drive the pegs to denote the site for the first section of the Ashburton Woollen Factory, The contract in question is for tho erection of a shed 60ft by 30ft, with a 12ft stud and gabled roof. This shed, which will face N.W. and 8.8., is to be built with a view of further extension, and will stand on the terrace within easy distance of the river. About 70ft further on will shortly be commenced the main building for the weaving room. This will be of brick, and its length will be 150 ft, Between it and the galvanised iron shed will be erected another brick structure 60It long, to be used as an engine house, &c. The portion now under contract is intended for the permanent wool shed, and will be completed in the course of the ensuing fortnight. On its completion the whole of the machinery now under cover on the ground will be unearthed, and after being placed in the woolihed will be subjected to a thorough overhaul, with a view of ascertaining what additions it will be necessary to make thereto to enable tho company to commence the manufacture of marketable goods, and an order will be despatched by the next mail for all the requisite additions to the present plant, In about nine months from date the company expect to have all buildings erected, and the machinery in motion. The latter will comprise at starting eighteen looms, three sets of carding engines, two sets of self-acting mules, and all tbe other et cetera necessary for the efficient working of the establishment. The machinery will be driven by a 36 horse power condensing engine, fitted with two boilers, 19ft 6in by sft. In front of the three buildings above mentioned, and facing ou tbe Alford Forest road, will be erected substantial and commodious offices and other buildings for the use of tho company’s officials. The company have secured tne services of a thoroughly competent general manager, who comes with credentials of tae highest order. Mr M. Scott, of the firm of Scott Bros., Christchurch, has been appointed to superintend the construction of the bu.il 1ings ond the erection of tho machinery, and backed as it is by a thoroughly businesslike

and influential directory, the future of the Ashburton Woollen Factory should prove a ■ouree of profit to the shareholder! and a benefit to the public at large. Plan* and ■pacifications for the main porlion* of the building will bo ready in the course of a week or so, and tenders for the work will be invited without delay. In addition to goods similar to those at present turned out at Baiapoi and Mosgiel, the Ashburton Woollen Company purpose manufacturing articles of a very much finer texture, and will thus be in a position to supply the market with a class of material of colonial manufacture not at present obtainable. The advent of the practical operations of the Ashburton factory will be watched with deep interest, not only by the shareholders and others more immediately concerned in this new branch of an already well-established colonial industry, but by the inhabitants general ! y of this highly favored part of the universe.