LOCAL INDUSTRY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9994, 15 March 1910, Page 5

LOCAL INDUSTRY.

BIG DEVELOPMENTS PROBABLE.

"THE YOULA" MILL AT WORK AGAIN. It was with pleasure that a representative of the Wairarapa Age accepted the courteous invitation of Captain C. H. Moss to inspect the working of what is known as "The Youla" Mill, the property of the Youla Wools Company, Ltd., situated on the Upper Plain. The present position of affairs will, perhaps, be more clearly explained if a brief reference is made to the past history of the company. It is, of course, generally known that the local Youla mill has been closed down for many months past The mill was run for some time, when only dags were treated, which, as Captain Moss explained, was not a profitable system of working. Tne Youla machine which is a patent, or secret process, is specially adapted for treating wools of inferior qualities such as bellies, pieces, locks and fleeces with "biddy-biddies" in them.

Japtain Moss, who is a recent arrival from the Old Country, is interested in the Youla Company, and on making inquiries was surprised to learn that the mill wai not working. He then made further investigations with the result that the YouJa mill is working to-dav ■ at full swing, and there is JJevery indication that an important local industry will be established in (he course of time. The industry will, if the anticipated developments take place, not only be of benefit to the town, but will be advantageous to farmers generally, and hence it will possess the ideal characteristic of being beneficial to both town and country. Already ten bands are being employed, and as Captain Moss' plans materialise one result at least must he the employment of many more hands. On entering the building a scene of activity and bustle attracted the pressman's notice. But before entering the mill it should be mentioned that stabling accommodation for the horses employed in carting the wool was inspected, and, also, the concrete bed on which the machine for treating dags will be erected. .It is not intended to treat any dags within the mill, and as the volume of work increases a second dag machine will be erected outside. Carpenters were hard at work, when the pressman arrived, at erecting a "lean-to" nr "arch" which is designed to protect the wool when the lorry is being loaded in wet weather. Captain Moss intends to work in accordance with a system that may well be described as completeness itselr. All preparations are being carried out expeditiously, and a large amouit of wool will shortly be dealt with daily. Fifty-six bales of wool have recently come to hand and are now being dealt with at the rate of ten bales per day, and as each bale weighs four cwt. it follows that two tons of wool are treated daily.

The contents of the bales are varied in quality, Bome of the wool is really very good, while other por-| tions of the bales would seem to be beyond the reach of treatment. But the Youla machine is what it is said to be—the apparently most "refractory" stuff being quickly converted into wool of passable quality. Sorting the wool is an important feature of the operations, and the services of a highly experienced classer will shortly be engaged. In passing it may be remarked that cowhair can, also, be treated by the machine the refined article being very popular with upholsterers. Without going into a lengthy description it may be said that the pressman was much surprised at the condition of the wool he saw being put into a Zealandia wool press, the change in its appearance (affected within a few minutes) being almost incredible. The refuse from the machine is a manure of high quality, and farmers using it will, no doubt, find that it possesses properties of a valuable character. At the time of the visit four Youla machines were being taxed to their utmost capacity, and the easy running and general arrangement of "'the battery" presented a pleasing appearance. It is the intention of the Company to erect wool scouring works in the near future.

The modus operandi will be this: Wools of inferior quality will be put through the Youla machines, and will then be scoured. The mineral, known as heliosyte, will be used in the scouring process. The net result of the two processes will be that the wools of inferior quality will be converted into wool of a high grade, neither the staple nor the yolk being injured in the course of treatment. The dag wool will also be scoured. There is nothing very new about the Youla mill's operations, as may be thought by some peoplo. Captain Moss informed the Age representative that Youla a ills are being run in England, India, Russia, Prance, Australia, and iu the Argentine, and in each case the greatest success has bten achieved. It is, of course, fortunate for Masterton that a Youla mill should be situated in its vicinity, but it may be remarked thai the operations of the company will not be confined to the Wairarapa, but other suitable places in the Northlsland will be selected for sites. "As a matter of fact," said Captain Moss, "it is not unlikely that we shall have some six mills going before long." Those who are interested in the treatmept of inferior wool«, as jias been described, can see the machines at work by making application at 161, Queen street, the office of H. P. Wynn Williams, Ltd.