LOCAL INDUSTRY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3892, 21 August 1891, Page 2

LOCAL INDUSTRY.

Mauriceville Limo Kilns.

The lime burning operations carried on at Mauriceville, which are daily assuming greater proportions, j bid *air to become an important in«' dustry before long. Our representative lately visited the Harrietville kilns and under the guidance of Mr D. M. Brookes, was shown over the works. The situation of the Harrietville kilns could not very well be beaten, as the natural formation of the country is peculiarly adapted for this purpose ; the supplj of limestone being practically inexhaustible, while on the property there is a large quantity of limestone granite, which is used for kiln building. The granite is of a iiue quality and Mr Brookes (who is of an enterprising nature) intends shortly to place some of it in the Wellington market. The main kiln, which is thirty one feet high, is built against a bank, and has three platforms, the top one being on a level with a good road, so that, there is very little trouble .in setting the stone to the head of. the kiln. On the second platform (twelve feet from the base) the furnaces, four in number, are situated. Each furnace has tbiee flues, making twelve ia all, arranged so that a clear flame may pass into the centre of the limestone, and making it impossible for any ashes or dross to get mixed with the pure lime. As the stone burns it gradually settles down to the base, where the third and last platform is fitted up with the necessary machinery for bagging up. The lime is then ready for use, and is carted away as ', required. In addition to doing a large trade in lime, Mr Brookes is arranging , to commenoe the manufacture ot , cement, whitiag and obalk, as soon as he can obtain the necessary machinery. i His experiments have so far been very 1 successful, and he considers that he J will be able to manufacture the abevementioned articles at a cost which "' «hle him to compete favorably with other makers.