MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AT CHRISTCHURCH.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2894, 5 July 1882, Page 2

MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AT CHRISTCHURCH.

[Br Telegeaph.] Cheistchuech, July 4. At eleven o’clock this morning the Members at the invitation of the Tramway Company, inspected the line just opened down the Ferry road. On their return they visited the Kaiapoi Woollen Factory establishment in town, and at 12.30 they left for Kaiapoi to look over the manufactory there. Kaiapoi was reached at 1 p.m., where a sumptuous repast was provided. Mr Wilson, the Member for Kaiapoi, occupied the chair and the Mayor the vice-chair. After the health of the Queen and the Governor had been duly honored, Mr Jameson proposed the “ Health of the Legislature.” Sir Maurice O’Rorko, in reply, said that it was their fourth day in Christchurch, and from the first moment of their landing, they had received unbroken kindness and pleasure. No one who had visited the establishment in Christchurch, could be but struck with the splendid fabrics shown, and he hoped the Company would be as remunerative as it deserved. He mentioned that few products from the colony could surpass those from the Kaiapoi factory. Mr Montgomery proposed—“ Success to the Company,” coupled with . the name of Mr Wilson. The establishment had been in existence four years, and,it was well known what it had attained in that short time. The factory employed. 473 persons, and it was a pity a larger number of these companies were not in existence, as they would add considerably to the prosperity of the colony. The Company had been formed by gentlemen possessing energy, prudence and ! sagacity, and they deserved credit ;for their enterprise. The Chairman, in reply, complimented the employees on their intelligence, and was. of opinion that in factories of this class ho better hands.could, be.procured. One of .tlie directors of .the Company had visited English,. American, : and Australian woollen factories, and that gentleman stated that he had not seen, in any one instance, machinery i so complete as in Kaiapoi. The company had not'gone out of the colony for any work that could be carried out satisfactorily in New Zealand, After explaining the details in connection with the Company, he mentioned that in 1878, 27 hands were employed ; in 1879, 51 ; in 1880, 93 ; in 1881, 203, and in 1882,473. He thanked the Members for their visit.

After Messrs Hurst and Hursthouse had addressed , the assemblage, Mr Deetham rose and read a telegram he had received from the Hon Mr Rollesiton being unable to be present. After lunch, an ’inspection of the manufactory was made, and the Members returned to town at 5 o’clock.