THE MATAURA PAPER MILLS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 161, 29 June 1876, Page 4

THE MATAURA PAPER MILLS.

(From the Otago Daily Times') The Mataura Paper Mill Company, having optained a lease of the Mill Reserve at the Mataura Falls, have ereoted a spaoious building of about 130 ft. by 19ft., and 24ft. high, for the purpose of manufacturing paper. The works are all of the most substantial description. The motive power is derived. from a waterwheel 18ft. diameter) 12ft wide, known as on open brestwheeljj which may safely be said to be the most powerful wheel ever erected in tbe Australian colonies. The shaft is 17ft. long, Bin. diameter, of tbe best hammered iron, and weighs nearly two tons, on which are keyed three cast-iron box-centres, which receive twenty-four wood arms, 8x 8, upon which are bolted.rings, also Bxß, to which are affixed the starts, 2ft. long, all of ironbark and 6 x 3, floats of plank, 2ft. by 2£.% : This wheel is capable of discharging 20,000 tons of water per hour, equal to an effective power of 60 horses. Motion is given to the main driving shaft by cast-iron segments bolted on the rim of the wheel, working in a pinion 3ft. diameter,. Bio, tooth, with 3|in. pitch; this shaft, 6in_. diameter, runs through the building to give power for a flour mill, pursuant to the conditions of the lease. To (Utilise the great natural power of the fails,' and regarding future extended operations, the company have spared no expense, tbe excavation of the race (a channel, cut in the solid rock), of about 1000 yards, and the masonry, of dreßsed hardslooe, inlaid with cement, having cost above £1000. The late flood did considerable damage, and delayed the work, as much of the masonry of the wheel sweep being unfinished, was torn up. Now, however, all is secnred against future damage. Thi'!' erection of the manufacturing machinery is fast approaching completion. ..Pulping engines of iron, -AOOIbs capacity; and a machine of the cylindrical form 52in. wide, can run out 6 tons of paper pet week. There is a separate steam engine to drive the machihe, -which requires great nicety in 'regulating the speed. Steam for propelling the same, heating the drying, cylinders, boilers, &c, is generated by 'a 20 horse-power boiler, set outside the building, with substantial brick chimney shaft 40ft. high, now in course of erection. It is a matter of regret that the Government did not reserve a larger extent of land for the working of .a power of such magnitude, as it 1 is qvident that when the flour mill is in operation they will be cramped for* room; r ■___•> '