WAIRARAPA SASH AND DOOR FACTORY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1065, 4 May 1882, Page 2

WAIRARAPA SASH AND DOOR FACTORY.

On the morning of the last day of 'Bl it will beiremembered that Wakelin'j Sash and Door Factory, Greytown, was totally destroyed by fire. At that time it was the most complete factory of its kind iu the district, was also in full working order and employed a large number of hands, Mr Wakelin was only partially insured, and consequently lie was a very heavy loser, _ Since then, he has taken Mr E, Hawkins as a partner in the business, and on the site of the old building, a new structure has been orected, which is in every way a far superior one, The present factory is a two-storied one, the size of it being 70ft by 32ft, with 17ft studs, the roof being covered with corrugated iron. The lower portion of the building •is devoted to the heavy machinery, which at present consists of two large planing machines, one being of colonial manufacture from the Vulcan foundry, T, Tozir's, Melbourne, and the other from "Witherly, Kugfii and Richardson, Worcester, Mass, .There is also a large iron circular saw bench fit by 2ft 9in, which works about a 40in saw. This is from R. Hornby and .Sons' Spittlegato Works, Grantham, England. Messrs Wakelin & Hawkins have ordered the following machinery from San Francisco, and but for some unaccountable delay it would have been in working order by now Tenoing machine, small moulding machine, circular and band saws, and saw sharpening machine. In tact, they intend adding everything that is required to make their factory complete. As a safeguard against fire, the engine and boiler house, 28 x 18, has been built of brick and iron, and stands about 12ft from the main building, The boiler, which is a tubular one, is 24 horse-power, aud works'at a steam prossure of fiOlbs, but it is intended to put additional stays in it so that the pressure can be increased to ?olba. There is al4 horse power nominal marine engine which can be worked to neatly treble that power. The connecting or driviug shaft is 3in in diameter, J Every precaution has been taken in case of..fire. A hose, whioh is a first-class one and stands lOOlbs pressure, is connected with tho engine pump, and is long enough to reach any part of the building, and throws a good jet about 40 feet. On the north side of the factory is the smithy, where the whole of the repairs are executed by an experienced smith, The turnery which was always a special feature in the old .factory, is not forgotten, and will still be under the able control of Mr Press. It/always affords us great pleasure to : notice our local industries, and in the (present; instance it requires a little more than ordinary notice, showing as it does the pluck :and energy of our colonial men, and we feel sure the firm wi.l reap the benefits they have deservedly earned. They are now in a position to execute orders of any 'desoription, and as Mr R. A. Wakelin has earned for himself a reputation for turning out good workmanship and material, when the whole concern is in good working ordor,they will be able to compete as successfully with the Wellington firms as he did in the past.