THE FOXTON FIAXMILLS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 473, 28 August 1909, Page 2

THE FOXTON FIAXMILLS.

A CRUISE AEONG THE RIVER BANK.

All the local flaxmills have commenced work and the familiar sound of the stripper can now be heard from morning till night. On walking along the bank the first mill one strikes is the “Foxton” mill, owned by Messrs A. King and Co., who, purchased it from Messrs Coley and Bock at the end of last season. This mill commenced stripping on Monday and is employing eight men, exclusive of cutters, paddockers, and trammers. The machinery is driven by steam. This mill has a Crosbie stripper installed, and is perhaps putting through more green leaf than any other mill on the bank. Right alongside the “ Foxton ” mill is the one belonging to Whitanui, Etd., called the “Ora.” Mr W. Allen is the manager in charge, and is getting everything ready for an early start. An artesian is being driven in order to ensure clear water for washing, etc. A Booth-McDonald stripper is installed here and it is probable that one ot Burges’ patent washing machines will be erected shortly. Next in order' is the “ Awa,” belonging to the Awahou Milling Co., L,td. Mr H. Berry is in charge here. Gas is the motive power used at this mill, and the stripping is done by a Crosbie. Work was commenced last Monday but a hall was subsequently made in order to instal one of Messrs W. Seifert and Co’s, patent washers. This has now been erected and it is expected the mill will be in full swing by Monday next. This mill will in future be worked under a new management, the owners having leased it to Messrs H. Berry (the present manager) and T. Jones (late manager for Mr O. E. Austin). Close alonside the “Awa” is the Whitanui Co’s, other mill, “ The Whitanui.” The Company’s manager, Mr Allen, has also charge of this mill, and work was commenced on Thursday, The machinery here is driven by a gas engine and the stripping is dene by a Booth-McDonald stripper. It is understood that arrangements have been made for installing one of the Burges’ patent washing machines at this mill also. All the above mills are close together and it is some little distance along the bank before the next one is struck, belonging to Mr J. Rose and called the “Huia.” This one is driven by steam and has a Booth-McDonald stripper in work. At the end of last season Mr Rose installed a Burges’ washing machine, which he is still working. Stripping here is in full swing, work having commenced on Monday, and is under the management of Mr J. F. Reid. None of the above mills have yet commenced scutching but it is expected they will all be in full swing some time next week. From the “Huia” we next visited the “Matipo” mill, recently purchased from Mr O. E. Austin by the present owners, Messrs Coley and Bock. Stripping and scutching was commenced at this mill on Monday, a BoothMcDonald stripper is being used and the machinery is driven by a gas engine. Mr J. R. Hynes is in charge of this mill, as well as tie firm’s other mill, the “Kowhai” which is situated a little further along the bank. The “Kowhai” mill started stripping on Tuesday. Messrs Coley and Bock have recently installed one of Messrs W. Seifert and Co’s, patent washers here and although it is early yet to express a decided opinion—the fibre having only been in the paddocks a couple of days—the firm are hopeful of the best results. It will be interesting to see the effect of this machine on fibre stripped with a Crosbie stripper.

All the mills are at present full handed and as they all employ on an average from 18 to 20 men each, it will be seen that at these seven local mills the number of men employed is about 140. To this number ; must be added a great many more whose employment is tq a large extent due to the flax industry, being those engaged on the river boats, the grading and dumping shed, the wharf, etc. There are also a large number of mills in the immediate neighbourhood which will be described in a future issue. The majority of the men employed at these mills spend their money locally and the fibre is sent through the local port, so it will be seen to what a large extent the hemp industry benefits this town.