CHRISTENING OF THE GREENIIILL FLOUR MILL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 136, 15 September 1870, Page 5

CHRISTENING OF THE GREENIIILL FLOUR MILL.

On the afternoon of Monday the newly erected flour mill at Evans Flat, Tuapeka, was started. Of all the signs of settlement and advancement in the Tuapeka district a flour mill must be looked upon as one of the most hopeful, and when we consider Aye have a mill, which is fitted with all the most recent improvements, and whose capabilities are not only equal to the requirements of the district, but suited for its advancement, we have reason to be proud of this addition to our increasing privileges as a community. For this enterprise we are indebted to" Mr. Lawson, of Tokomairiro, a gentleman who, by his mechanical genius and great perseverance, is making for himself a name in Otago. The mill, which is situated on the Tuapeka River opposite the Thistle Hotel, is a strong substantial two-storey structure, and was built under the immediate supervision of Mr. Lawson, the proprietor. The timber was from Mr. Morrison's saw mill at Tuapeka Mouth, and was specially selected by Mr. Lawson as the most durable for the work. Before referring to christening of the turbine wheel, perhaps a short description of that wonderful little invention, with its attendant machinery and the beautiful arrangements by which manual labour is lightened in producing the staff of life, may be interesting to those of our readers who have not yet had the pleasure of seeing the mill in operation. The water is conveyed from the race to the mill by a fluming 150 feet in length, and enters a large pentrough which is placed near iJie top of the gable of the building. This trough is lined with a metal grating for the purpose of screening the water from any impurities that may enter from the race. The water is then conducted from this trough to the wheel through cast metal pipes 24 inches in diameter. The wheel is on the vortex turoine principle, fitted on a twenty feet fall, which, when in full working order, is capable of producing 20-horse power. Tt is only twenty-six inches in diameter, made of polished brass, and works in large metal cases weighing about tln-ee and a-half tons- When we saw it at work on Friday, six heads of water were used, producing about 12-horse power. The water, in entering the metal cases referred to, is directed to the wheel, which works horizontally, by four moveable guide blades which can be regulated according to the power required. When in full motion, the wheel goes at the rate of 180 revolutions a minute. The power is then transmitted from the turbine to the machinery inside the mill by bevel gearing, which connect the stones to the main shaft, on which are fitted two pulleys. One of these is used for driving the smutter and cleaning machine, which is placed on the ground floor ; the other is used for conveying the motion to the main shaft along the roof of the mill, which drives all the other necessary machinery. The smutter and cleaning machine, which is supplied with the wheat by elevators, is the first brought into requisition for the purpose of grinding. After the wheat leaves the smutter it is conveyed by elevators and put into stone bin 3, passes through the stone, and is then conveyed by a screw to the bottom of the second set of elevators, which raise the ground wheat to the top of the silk dresser. The wheat is then placed in another conveyor of sufficient length to regulate its temperature previous to entering the silk dresser. This machine is twenty feet in length by three feet in diameter, and placed on an incline of half an inch to the foot, for the purpose of causing the flour to travel along inside the silk reel until properly searched. This machine describes twenty-eight revolutions a minute. It is of sufficient length to separate the flour from the pollard and bran, and is fitted in a wooden case, in tlie bottom, of wliicli is placed an iron screw which carries the flour along to a spout, by which it is deposited in the bag on the ground floor. The silk at the top end of the reel is, as a matter of course, of a much finer texture than the space set apart for the pollard at the lower end. The bran, by the time it reaches the lower end, is properly searched, and escapes at the end. of the reel by a similar spout leading to the bag on the ground floor. The compactness of the machinery and the saving of manual labour in the manufacture of flour is the most noticeable feature of the whole contrivance. The miller, apparently, has nothing else to do but cut the mouth of the bag, and empty its contents into a bin on the ground floor, from which it is transferred by the machinery through all the stages of its manufacture until it reaches the bag in its prepared state, and ready for the market. This self-action is of great importance in the economising of labour, and is a wonderful stride in advance of the old laborious system, where so much manual labour was required. Although at present only one pair of stones is at work — which, no doubt, is sufficient for the present want of the district—still the building and machinery are capable of turning out three times the quantity, and we only hope, for Mr. Lawson's advantage and as a proof of the progress of- the district, it will be found necessary soon to set the three pair in operation. By four o'clock a large concourse of the residents of Law-

rence and the surrounding neighbourhood assembled at the mill. The machinery was set in motion, and the whole process of manufacturing the flour described byMr. Lawson, after which the assembly gathered round the wheel outside the mill, where the christening was about to take place . The Mayor (Horace Bastings, Esq.) then addressed the crowd. He had no occasion to point out to them the importance of the event which had brought them together. He looked upon the enterprise, which was now inaugurated, far before any which had taken place in the district. He referred to the mining industry as having, by the private enterprise of the miners, .raised the district to its present position. The spirit of private enterprise could not, however, rest satisfied with that alone, so the district got a saw mill which supplied them with timber, then a brewery followed which supplied them with beer — (cheers) — and now they had the principal one of all which supplied them with the staff of life. He only wished the Government had such an energy as was shown by private individuals. Notwithstanding all that had been contributed by the Tuapeka goldfields to the revenue, the Government had not yet given them a decent road to walk upon. Through the bad roads communication was almost entirely suspended. They had come to do honour to Mr. Lawson, for to give him his due he had done justice to the undertaking, and he (the speaker) hoped and trusted the speculation would prove a remunerative one ; for he regretted that sometimes the public did not appreciate the spirit of such an enterprise. He hoped that if Mr. Lawson produced a good article he would be well patronised by the merchants and bakers of the district. It was their bounden duty to support every such enterprise by which the mony was kept in the district, and the general welfare of the community thereby advanced. He would not detain them longer, but introduce to them Mrs. Brook, the wife of one of the early settlers, who followed the plough amongst the first in this country. He would now ask Mrs. Brook to perform the ceremony. That lady then stepped forwardjand broke a bottle of champagne over the wheel, ahd christened the mill the Greenhill Flour Mill, amidst the applause of the numerous spectators. Three cheers were given for Mr. Lawson, the mayor, and Mrs. Brook, which brought the first part of the ceremony to a close. The assembly then adjourned to the first floor of the mill, where an abundant supply of refreshments were in readiness. As a proof of good feeling towards Mr. Lawson's laudable undertaking, and an earnest of the success which they desired to attend it, Mr. Bastings contributed a hogshead of ale ; Mr. Hopkins, of the" Thistle Hotel, a case of porter ; and Mr. Brook some of his farm produce. The chair on the occasion was occupied by Mr. Bastings, who was supported by several of the leading residents. After full justice had been done to the edibles, the Chairman proposed the usual loyal toasts, which were heartily drank. Song — "Merrilly goes the mill stream," by the chairman. The "Agricultural Interest" was then proposed, coupled with the name of Mr. Brook, who, in responding, said he was an agriculturist, and had been so in the old country. As a farmer, he had, in common with some others, been treated very badly by the Government of this country, having at one time taken up land, and had it taken from it. The farmers of the district were greatly indebted to Mr. Lawson for putting up such a splendid mill, and making a market for their wheat. As for himself, he would now give his wheat to the mill instead of the rats as had been the case previously. (Applause.) Mr. W. A. Murray also responded to the toast. He had come imexpectedly, and was highly pleased to see such a large assembly. It was gratifying to him to mid the enterprise of Mr. Lawson, a Tokomairiro settler, brought to such a successful completion. They had now got a market for their wheat, and he understood their worthy chairman would soon have a malt house erected, and make a market for their barley. He hope_d also to see before long a woollen factory and other locol industries inaugurated of equal importance to the prosperity of the country. He hoped the Government would show more encouragement to the settlement of the country, and not drive people away from the district. The next toast was "Our Local Industries," to which Mr. W. D. Morrison responded in a very suitable speech. He thought they might perhaps soon hear of Mr. Lawson combining a flax mill with his present one. Air. Humphrey sang "Bonnie Dundee." The Chairman then said that the next toast he had to propose was the toast of the evening, viz., "Success to the Greenhill Flour Mill," coupled with the name of Mr. Lawson. He could only say he wished it every success pecuniarily. It -would be very hard if after his labours, and large outlay of capital, he found it was not a success. He hoped the local merchants and storekeepers, if they found a good article produced, would give Mr. Lawson that encouragement which he deserved. If they did not, he would say, without hesitation, they were enemies to the district, and not deserving of the position they held. In responding to the toast Mr. Lawson said, the most difficult part of his undertaking had been left to the finish. He referred to the difficulty he had in acknowledging, in a suitable manner, the toast which ahd been so warmly proposed and with which his name was coupled. He was extremely glad to observe the good feeling shown to him, and the great interest taken in the success of the mill by the inhabitants, as was shown by the presence of such a large number on the occasion of its starting. It was four years since he first had thoughts of constructing a flour mill in the Tuapeka district. He found, however, that a gentleman entered the field before him and that, to some extent, delayed his commencing the work. Finding the gentleman he referred to, Mr. Douall, gave up the work he had started, for reasons best known to himself, Mr Brook a shipmate of his had written him several times about the advisability of the undertaking, so on the strength of Mr. Douall retiring from the field, he (Mr. Lawson) • ordered the machinery from home. He then accounted for the long delay wjjuch

had occurred in the construction of the work and hoped that the old saying " There is luck in leisure," would prove true In the present case. The work was now finished and he hoped to be able to turn out flour second to none in Otago. He believed the district was capable of i producing wheat equal to Oamaru if the proper selections were made, — a matter which he regretted to say did not receive that attention from the generality of farmers which was necessary, but which if looked into would be better for Otago. He had been told by some of the bakers that as Tokomairiro could not produce good flour it was useless to think it could be produced in Tuapeka, but he was of a different opinion. As a matter of course he hoped to be encouraged by the bakers of the district ; if, however, they did not use the flour he could only Bay this, he would be obliged to use it himself. He feared he was now speaking more as a miller than a millwright ; but from what experience he had in the growing of wheat during last year he believed there was much good wheat grown but greatly damaged after being cut. Wheat should be stacked and thatched as soon as cut, especially in a country like Otago which was subject to a very changeable climate. He was glad to say he had more confidence in the district now than he had when he first thought of putting up a mill. He had done his best to erect a substantial building and to secure first class machinery and it remained with the farmers to produce a first class sample of wheat and, he believed, he would produce a good sample of flour. — ('Applause.) The "Mining Interest," was then proposed and ably responded to by Mr. llay, M. P. C. Mr. Morrison also responded to this toast The " Press " was responded to by Mr. Canning on behalf of the " Bruce Herald " and Mr. Ferguson on behalf of the "Tuapeka Times." The " Ladies " was responded to by Mr. Low. A vote of thanks to the Chairman was proposed by Mr. Ferguson who considered Mr. Bastngs the right man at the helm of affairs in the district, as he was the first and foremost gentleman in everything which had for its object the welfare and advancement of the community. In reply Mr. Bastings said a district depended as much upon the men within it for its prosperity as upon its own resources. Give him a dozen good men and he would make any district prosper. Thus was brought to a close the christening of the Greenhill flour mill.