INDUSTRIAL NOTES.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1040, 28 May 1883, Page 2

INDUSTRIAL NOTES.

We learrifrom the Press that Mr A. G. Howland., the President of the Industrial Association, has on view at his carriage shops in Cashel street a yard of the first piece of carpet,made in the Australian colonies. The manufacturer, who made the presentation to Mr Howland, is MrN. Mitchell, of the Ferry road, Woolston, and the sample of carpet is a splendid specimen of genuine worth. The pattern is of elrn and oak leaves, interspersed with roses, in full bloom. The colours are voiy beautifully blended, and at a distance the appearance of the carpet resembles ordinary Brussels, more than Kidderminster. In order to still further test the quality of the Onehunga iron, Mr A G Howland has had a bit of it made into a sort of rough chisel, which is probably the first tool constructed from the metal in question. It was forged in the ordinary way, hardened by being plunged into cold water, arid then ground sharp. The result obtained is very satisfactory ; although the tool is only of rough iron, the edge is a remarkably good one, and the “ grain ” of the metal is very fine and close. If the rough iron is of such quality, what may not be expected of steel made therefrom. The Woodlands Meat Preserving Works are (says the Southern Free Press) now engaged in preserving a J;e\vjhead of cattle daily, also about 100 rabbits a day, supplied by rabbiters in the immediate vicinity to make sure of their being thoroughly fresh, as last season they came in in too great quantities and from too great distances to assure their always being up to the mark in freshness. The manager is waiting a cablegram from Home before again entering largely into rabbit preserving, which will depend upon the result of last season’s shipments. Sheep are at two high a price this season for meat preserving purposes. The fat from the sheep killed for freezing shipment is being rendered at Woodlands, and it is expected that the Opawa will finish loading in a week. We ( Chronicle ) have been shown by Mr Filmer, who is the sole agent for its sale, a remarkably good sample of starch, manufactured by Mr Gerse, of Durietown. In appearance and practical utility (which has been tested in domestic life) this starch is fully equal to Coleman’s or any other imported article, and we are glad to hear that Mr Gerse wiil shortly be in a position to turn out over half-a-ton a week. So important and valuable a local industry deserves every encouragement. The Canterbuiy Industrial Association have passed the following resolution : “That this Committee believes that an Exhibition of New Zealand products in London would be conducive to the establishment of new industries in this colony, and therefore respectfully requests the Government to communicate with the Governments of the Australian colonies with the view of holding an Exhibition of Colonial Products in London in 1885. A linseed oil, cake and fibre company has been formed at Temuka. At a meeting of directors last week specimens of dressed fibre were received from Mr Hayhurst, who is visiting America, The specimens, which were much admired, were dressed by an American machine on an improved method, breaking and scutching the fibre and threshing the seed at one operation, and doing away with the tedious and expensive process of retting. It was resolved to ask Mr Hayhurst to forward one of the machines if possible.