OTAGO CLOTH MANUFACTORY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 54, 3 February 1872, Page 4

OTAGO CLOTH MANUFACTORY.

The “Otago Daily Times” supplies a few facts regarding the now flourishing cloth manufactory at Mosgiel, which may not be uninteresting to our readers. On the 27th November Messrs A. J. Burns and Co applied to the Provincial Government for £750, being the remainder of the bonus of £ISOO, payable to whoever should manufacture the first 5000 yards of cloth in the province, and they received that amount. The first half was paid when the machinery began working. The cloth, we understand, is selling fast, and is finding its way not only over the province, but all over New Zealand. Several pieces of broad cloth, suitable for ladies’ dresses, have also been turned out, and will be in the warehouse in the course of a few days. There is so great a demand for the stocking yarn that work has to be carried on day and night to keep pace with the requirements, and the addition of another pair of carding-engines and another pair of self-acting mules to the machinery is contemplated. A box

of machinery, chiefly articles used in connection with the mules, and which came by the Christian M’Ausland, arrived very opportunely. Through the kindness of the agents of the ship, the captain and custom house officers, and the officers of the Lighterage Company, the box was landed with the greatest possible despatch, and reached Mosgiel just two hours after the mules were stopped for want of the articles. The hands who were brought out in the Christian M’Ausland, and who were specially ordered out to work at night, are now being employed in the factory. Advices were received by the last mail that the finishing machinery was on its way out, and when it is in operation it is anticipated that cloth can be turned out here as well finished as any imported. The manufacture of blankets and plaidings for the winter market is just about to be commenced. The stocking weavers, with their looms, are on the way out, and if all goes well the ship will arrive in time to allow of stockings, drawers, and under shirts being turned out for next winter’s wear. A set of new cottages for the workpeople has been built, and a new press-room and office, of brick, are being put up adjoining the engine-house. Young boys and girls are employed as workers in the factory. They are learning fast, and will soon be able to earn as high wages as the older hands. The necessity of importing workers from Britain will thus be done away with; the firm will not have the risk of bringing here operatives who afterwards may leave them; and permanent work will be found for many of the settlers’ children. The firm, becoming now better acquainted with what is wanted here, will, we are informed, be soon able to supply the whole local demand, and anticipate that if the public patronise them in future at the same rate as they have since the cloth was first placed in the market, they will soon be enabled to double their plant.