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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 15, Issue 756, 27 January 1870, Page 3

WEB LEY’S WOOLLEN CLOTH MANUFACTORY, NELSON. ( From the Nelson Examiner, January B.] In our last number a paragraph appeared from a Wellington paper, whiek stated that Government had advertised for tenders for large quantities of woollen goods, to be manufactured in New Zealand, for the use of the Constabulary. As the only manufacturer in the colony of woollen goods is M r W ebley of Nelson, who has been engaged here in making excellent tweed cloth for the last fifteen years, we naturally expected to learn from Mr Webb, who has the sale of all Nelson-made cloth, some particulars of this intention of the Government to encourage native industry, but Mr Webb was unable to afford any information, and for the present, all that is known in Nelson of the Government’s intention, is the paragraph alluded to. But this will be no unfit occasion to say a few words concerning Mr Webley’s manufactory, which was begun on a very limited scale indeed, progressed slowly, it is true, but not the less certainly—as the quality of his cloth became known, until it is extensively worn in all parts of the colony-—its lightness, softness of texture, and withal warmth, causing it to be admirably suited for our climate. As little or no capital has been sunk in machinery beyond what has been realised out of profits, the concern is still on a small scale, speaking comparatively, the propritor having always been one of the working hands; but; the quantity of bloth manufactured last year, reached the respectable quantity of 6,000 yards, and we are glad to see the mill ” now undergoing considerable enlargement to accommodate improved machinery for spinning the yarn, now on its way from England in charge of an experienced workman, and which is of the very best character. In a few weeks this machinery will beat work, when the capacity of the mill for manufacturing cloth will be greatly enlarged, and the quality of the article improved. Mr Webley has received no bonus, or assistance from the Government of any kind, although a bonus has been offered for the establishment of a cloth manufactory in some of the other provinces, and yet by industry and perseverance he has succeeded in establishing a manufactory which gives promise of taking root here, and will in all probability be the precursor of others of a similar character.

By & no ice in the Gazette, received yesterday, we the government order is to consist of 10,000 yards of blue serge, 2,000 of Flute flannel, and 2,000 blankets— for which there is at present no manufactory jn the colony.