Local Industries

Te Aroha News, Volume XXII, Issue 42772, 31 August 1905, Page 2

Local Industries

In a visit to Mr Johnson’s flax mil at Mangaiti this week, we had the pleasure of being conducted through the premises with Mr Johnson as guide, philosopher, and friend, there to inspect the various processes of proparing flax, mostlvjbrought from large areas across tns river, belonging to the mill. Here we see a compact and well-arranged steam plant running the whole of the machinery required for the carrying on of the industry. Leaving the engine and boiler-house we note in the yard, large stacks of raw material awaiting its turn for treatment, Then, entering the stripping shed, we find a very interesting process being carried on, and watch with in* rerest the dext«rity of |the stripperfeeder’s hands as he rapidly and incessantly forces bunch after bunch of the green leaves into the hungry jaws of the stripping machine. After rhis the flax drops into the hands of .he stripper-keeper, he ia turn passing it to others who, after deftly shaking loose particles from the hair-like switohes, places them to wash in a large wooden trough which is supplied with a flow of water from the river by a powerful band-pump. From here we pass to the scutching department, where the flax undergoes a process of refinement, after being dried in the paddocks. The next process is that of buudling into bales, which is speedily effected by means of a powerful baling-press actuated by steam power. Here too, are quantities of bales awaiting shipment,, and for this purpose the close proximity of the works to the river, it especially convenient.

A short walk from the mill brought us to Mr Johnson’s extensive poultry farm, where one could not fail to admire the up to-date arrangement and methods adopted throughout, Here were pons of White Wyandottes, Black and Buff Orpingtons, Silver Wyandottes, etc., of a high order. Ranged along the grass are rows of brooding-* pens, many containing a fond motherlien surrounded by her chicks. The more ordinary class of fowls seemed to be represented in overwhelming numbers, for a call ftom our guide brought them by the hundred from all pirts of the paddock. A grit mill and also, a bone-crusher ire here in daily requisition, and no efforts are spared in making such arrangements as are likely to give the best returns from the fowls. Fine ducks, already fattening, were much in evidence, basking in the sun oxwaddling to the creek. Altogether we cannot doubt that this is a good example of a thoroughly modern poultry farm.