CAMBRIDGE IMPROVEMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1396, 14 June 1881, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE IMPROVEMENTS.

A correspondent writes :— '"Among the many signs of increasing enterprise in New Zealand, at the present time, it is comforting to look round and see that we in Cambridge are not to be left behind in tho march of progress. Villa residences and corafortablo cottages are starting up in and around our to wnship : the Government school is being considerably enlarged ; the lofty spire of the new English Church is a conspicuous object, and draws attention to the fact that that fine building, capable of accommodating 550 persons, is rapidly approaching completion. On the banks of the river we notice the novel sight of a tram running across the river, suspended in the air by wires, and after leaving its burden of flour, returning in tho same ghostly manner. Mr Hally, the proprietor of the mill, deserves credit for the manner in which he has utilised the water power, by making it grind the wheat, and afterwards deposit it on the opposite bank, by the wire tramway, ready to be carted away. A little higher up the river, extensive works are being erected by the Waikato Steam Navigation Company, at the west end of Duke-street. Here a new landing place is being constructed to supersede the present one, as the preseut confined space, at the head of the river navigation, will not allow two carts to pass one another, and where in the winter time, it takes two good horses to carry half a ton from the wharf ; hence the necessity for a change. A new substantial wharf has been constructed of the best materials. The bank of the river which is here 160, feet above the level of the river, has been sloped away to an angle of 45 feet in terraced steps, necessitating a cutting of 16 feet deep by 50 broad, in the centre of which an ii on tramway is laid, firmly attached to puriri sleepers, embedded in the face of the rock. Up this steep bank a cage runs, carrying the trucks ot coais, goods, &c. Arriving at the top, they are run into the store, or sheds, or conveyed to the different parts of the yard where required. To hoist up this cage, two six-horse-power engines are employed, with a suitable boiler, and so confident was the designer of the whole, (Captain Lindsay) of the working of the cage, that the first package conveyed up was the said boiler, weighing over two tons, with cage and truck weighing another ton besides, which was done with the greatest ease by hand. These engines besides the hoisting work are intended to drive a plauing machine and a circular saw, to cut timber into sizes, that may be immediately wanted, besides crosscutting firewood, &c. There is a commodious store built to receive goods, one half arranged for the use of the general public, the other half to store bonodust, wire, produce, &c. On the east part of the grounds a shed is to be erected, 100 feet long, by 25 feet wide, where seasoned timber of the best sorts will be kept, also a full stock of doors, sashes, moulding, skirting, with all the articles to complete a house, which at present are so much wanted in Cambridge. To keep up this supply, a steamer will be laid on from Qnehunga to Waikato, direct, connecting with the boats now running. This company has ordered a cargo of bonedust from Victoria to Waikato Heads, to be followed by others. It is intended to dispose of this at the lowest possible rate, as they recognise the fact that by enoouraging and aiding the fanners, they are " bringing gri&t to their own mill."" Speaking of bonedust, we may mention there is another industry just started at Te Rore, where a limestone quarry has just been opened, and already orders have been taken from some of, #}q settlers to the extent of 500 bushej^ a§ a |pia]. In some future issue we may refer tq the briok and drain-pipe works of Mr Ward, and alsq to. sqme. qf the sawmills that have been lately openecj. in the district.