Mr. Andrew Miller's Factory.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 43, 10 January 1902, Page 3

Mr. Andrew Miller's Factory.

The proprietor of this establishment, Mr 'Anarew Miller, is a native of Nelson. Upon leaving school, he adopted carpentering business as a means of livelihood. After gaining a thorough practical knowledge of all the branches of the trade, and upon reaching man's estate Mr Miller decided to become his own master and with that intention landed in Motueka some six and a half years ago. His first shop was a modest building standing on the site now occupied by Mr Manoy's furnituie warehouse, and in this he did odd jobs, locking the door when work had to be done in distant parts of the district. The volume of business steadily increased and Mr Miller found it necessary to engage extra hands. This state of affairs continued for about three years, when, having great faith in the future of Motueka, he decided to extend his field of operations by erecting a complete sash and door factory etc. The plant was ordered without delay and, the present central section in Hisjh Street having been secured, the building was erected. As is usually the case with all new enterprises, croakers predicted a* total collapse of the whole concern and bankruptcy within six month-. Li'-e a sensible and persistent business man Mr Miller adhered to the course decided upon with most satisfactory and eneoui-aging results. Gii Monday last we had an opportunity of making a thorough inspection of the factory, when the whole of the machinery was piit in motion, the more clearly to understand'the uses of each. A 6 h.p. tMigine supplies the motive power and tl.e machinery is driven by a shaft, with pulleys, reaching the whole length <f the building. The first machine cillng fur notice was a planing and moulding machine, manufactured by J. A. Fay and Co., of the United States, of the latest and most approved design, capable of turning out superior work and which will plane boards 24 inches wide and from l-Bin to 6in thick. A circular saw, capable of being guaged to required measmements, and provided with all the necessary appliances for breaking up timber into different sizes, for ordinary box and other work was being run when we visited the factory : heavy orders for fruit cases having been placed with Mr Miller. A most important and interesting piece of mechanism was the variety wood worker, imported from Haigh and Co, of Oldham, England. With this machine, which can be speedily equipped with the required tools (and there is a large variety), tenoning, grooving, moulding, planing and sawing can be performed, and in the hands 1 of a. skilful mechanic with the best results. With this tool raspberry kegs are made, the staves being tapered and bevelled in one operation ; the timberis also ripped and cross cut for the fruit cases. Attached to the machine is a handy little implement called a borer, which quickly cuts holes in the timberplaced on a sliding table, and pushed towards the auger. Haigh and Co. have also furnished a useful band saw, which is used in cutting all sorts of

fancy work, such as brackets, circles, •etc.---A mortising machine, by the same maker, is a useful instrument, I doing its work in a clean and satisfactory manner. A machine foi mitreing mouldings for doors, has also been provided ; likewise a lathe for all kinds of ■wood turning and set of grindstones for sharpening the moulding and plaining tools. The factory, which stands on half an acre of land, is 55ft long by 35 ft wide. So far as it goes the plant is of the most approved pattern, but Mr Miller finds that, on account of increasing trade, he will soon have tomake extensive alterations and additions. Just now he is deluged with orders from the local factory and shippers of produce for raspberry kegs and fruit cases. In addition he has several building contracts oh hand, notably the high school, so that he is able tokeep his staff constantly engaged. With such a fully equipped factory in our midst, there is no occasion for residents to send outside for any building material they may require when it can be procured on the spot. As a. builder Mr Miller has demonstrated his skill and ability to erect ; as evidence of his handicraft during his six years resilience amongst us, we have the local post office, the high school, Mr Manoy's bacon factory, the Maori church, several minor schools in and around Motueka, Messrs Raikes and R. Rankins fine residences, and many dwellings in different parts of the district.

The Ingle wood Record is now pul - lished three times a week. "We congratulate our contemporary on this progressive step and wish the new proprietor, Mr Hamerton. a successful career. The Record is a most creditable production, well written, and deserving of support. According to the "Timaru Herald," one of his Majesty's Judges was a visitor to Temuka on New Year's Day, and was cycling about the borough with a few friends when they came to a piece of newly-shingled street impossible to wheel over, and so they took to the footpath. A constable in plain clothes happened to be standing on the path, and he no more recognised the Judge without his wig and gown than the Judge did him without his blue tunic and shako. The constable called a halt, but the party got past him, all but "his Honor," who was penned by the constable's machine sliprailed across the path. The majesty of the Temuka borough bylaws was so farvindicated that the offender against it was brought to bay, and brought to book, with an official demand for his name. This was given, and the constable has probably been wondering ever since what he is to do with it : whether to insert it in an "information" and summons or not.

A record wool cargo by sailing vessel from Australia is that loaded by the four masted barque Port Jackson, at Sydney. Messrs Gibbs, "Bright and Co., the agents for the vessel, have just completed the stowage of the big cargo,, of 11,600 bales of wool. The previous record was held by the French sailing vessel Emile Renouf, loaded by A. Mc Arthur and Co., with 10,824 bales of wool. In addition to the wool the Port Jackson takes 139 cases of tallow, 9261 bags chrome ore, |and 5136 bars lead. The overdraft af the Taratahi-Car-theton Road Board is .£4BO 0s 4d, and rates outstanding amount to .£222 8s 4d. Mr J. F. McNab, of Riwaka, had an extraordinary haul of herrings on Thursday "morning. Herrings are plentiful in the neighbourhood but there is a great scarcity of flounders. *** Subscription to the MOTUEKA STAR : — Three Shillings and Sixpence a Quarter which ?nay begin at anv time