OUR LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XIX, Issue 3198, 20 October 1876, Page 2

OUR LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

Considerable improvements in various departments which have been lately introduced by Messrs McIntyre and Logan at their steam coach factory, in Guyton Street and Victoria Avenue, constrain us to make brief reference thereto. A spoke dressing machine, which is working admirably, and turning out capital material, has been admired by all the visitors to the establishment. It is simple in construction, unerring in the performance of the required work, and can be attended to and controlled by a lad. The modus operandi could not be explained or described within our limits, and to do so insufficiently would be neither satisfactory to ourselves nor to our readers, nor would it be doing justice to the enterprising firm which have lately introduced this and other appliances at considerable ex-

pense. Those who take an interest in such matters should make a personal visit, when we have no doubt the same courteous and interesting explanations would be offered as on the occasion of our own tour of inspection. In the workshops we found a number of vehicles in various stages of progress, some being built, others undergoing repairs, or being renovated and improved in appearance by the display of the trimmer's art. In this latter line we were shown some specimens of workmanship, which, without undue exaggeration, would do credit to a Melbourne establishment, from one of which indeed came the tradesman whose very tasteful display of decorative ability has been highly spoken of by all who have seen the vehicles on which he has exercised his handiwork. Among a number of excellently finished and substantially built carriages of various classes, we noticed a very handsome American side-spar buggy, built to order, the first of the kind introduced into Wanganui. This conveyance is distinguished for lightness and strength of construction, besides being very neat and ornamental in the way of external-decorations. There are several special features which distinguish the design, but upon these we have net space to enlarge further than to say that it appears the most appropriate for country travelling that we have yet seen, and runs as light as a bicycle. We should say Messrs McIntyre and Logan should receive numerous orders for buggies of a similar description, when that just completed, which has been specially built for Mr Smiley, and is now in use by him, comes to be more universally known. The whole of the timber used in the construction is American hickory, of which timber are formed the two side-spars, which take the place of springs most effectually, and for which feature the name side-spar buggy has been selected. Rapidly approaching completion is a large new waggonette, capable of carrying both goods and passengers. This conveyance is intended for the Waverley carrying trade, and behind four active horses should travel easily alongside Cobb's coach, even with a load of three or four tons. As each vehicle is examined we feel more and more convinced of the resources of the firm to turn out vehicles of every class, of a superior finish, and of workmanship for which they need not fear disparaging remarks either now or in the future. The four departments, viz , for building, repairs, renovation, and for smiths' works, are kept constantly busy, employing a number of skilled artizans, and turning out a wonderful quantity of work in the course of the year. This firm is now so well prepared to undertake the several branches of the business, that they need fear but little intercolonial or foreign competition.