RE-OPENTNG OF THE HAMILTON FLOUR MILLS.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1452, 22 October 1881, Page 2

RE-OPENTNG OF THE HAMILTON FLOUR MILLS.

The Hamilton Flour Mills, formerly known as the "Kiwi Milk,'' originally established by a company, and recently acquired by purchase by Messrs Knox and Ridler, were formally re-opened on Thursday last. On purchasing the property some months ago the proprietors at once came to the conclusion that a complete overhaul of the building and machinery, and the replacing of much of the latter was necessary, and they therefore secured the services of Mr Mosea Bate, a millwright of skill and experience, and entrusted to him the carrying out of the whole of the improvements. Mr Bate superintended the erection of the machinery and fittings in Bycroft's new mill, Auckland, and the quality of the work put in the Hamilton mills, it may be taken, is of the best. An addition has been built to the mill, 20£t. x 18ft., two storeys high, in order to provide ' further storage room for the grain and flour. The dimensions of the building, including the addition are : 52ft. x 35ft., with a 25ft. wall. The old foundations have been replaced by heart of kauri blocks, resting on a rock foundation, and the roof has been covered with corrugated iron. The dam on the creek has also been; put in good order, and new fiuming has been laid, down to conduct the water to .the wheel, which is 20ft. in diameter. Other exterior alterations are in nfbgrcsa, or have bpen projected, all of which' $end,\ in the direction 'of saving ttianti^, l*ty)r. jlnsjde' the mill .great changfes have .Deeniwrpjigh't. portion' #f the ;^ihiaai«aery""^*s , t>eea :repl*ce& ', ,umdci-tt|^^|iole ,, J -hap" bfeeitf rewf ftoge4'»nd WJti^

Bate's plans. Two new pairs of French burr stones have been obtained. These arc driven by Bate and Bryou's patent driver, a great impiovement upon the old method. The smutter has had added to it an impioved separater, and has been provided by elevators, etc., with all the latest improvements. The silk-dresser, constructed by Mr Bate, and provided with a valve for pre\enting impurities getting into the flour, is a model of good design and workmanship, and would be a credit to a mill of much larger dimensions. Such, briefly, are the improvements which have been made. The mills aie now in a position to turn out ten tons of flour per week, and it only remains for the settlers to embrace the opportunity otteied them for obtaining a cash market for their grain. Messrs Knox and Ridler deseive the hearty approval and gratitude of all in the district. The venture is not aceitainty; it is a commercial speculation, but however else it may be regarded it is of great importance that manufactures of whatever kind should be encouraged and fostered in every possible way. On Thursday afternoon Messrs Knox and Ridler invited a number ot the more prominent townspeople and settlers to witness the formal commencement of work. About 35 or 40 visitors were present, amongst whom were Messrs J. B. WhyteanclF A. Whitaker, M.H.R., Capt. Steele, Capt. Runciman, Capt. Beere, and Mr Primrose. Mr Legg, agent of the Otago milling firm of Anderson and Co., was also among the visitois, and seemed to be much pleased with what he saw. After the building had been in&pected the machinery was put in motion, and a small i quantity of grain was turned into flour. The machinery worked with scarcely any noise, and the result of the operation was .such as to gratify all those who were present. An adjournment was then made to the large storeroom in the re.ir portion of the building, where refreshments in the shapp of a nicely laid cold collation awaited the guests. Mr Whitaker in pioposing tho health of Messrs Kuox nnd Ridler, referred to tho position which wheat occupied iv the commercial economy of the colony as contmsted with England. He believed that the export of wheat would before long 1 be double th.it of wool. In tins particular poition of {the district there-opening of this mill ought to have (-ho effect of inducing- the farmeis to put in a largo quantity of «rrain. The district was greatly indebted to the pioprietors of this mill for their enteipri*e He had been told on good authority that the mill was one of the best for its t>ize in the colony. The health of tbe piopiictora was diunk with three times three. Mr Knox thanked the company for the kind manner in which the toa.st had been received. He and hit. partner had been induced to enter into the undertaking 1 as much on account of the bouefifc which would accrue to the district as for their own personal advantage. He fipoke in high terms of Mr Ridler, who was a gpntlemen well and favourably known to them all, and concluded by asking the ! company to drink to the health of Mr I Bate,the millwiight. The work had not been let by tender, and the manner in which it had been carried out fully justified the confidence they had placed in MiBate. The foast was duly honored. Mr Bate, in responding for ihe kind manner in which his health had been drunk, took occasion to refer to the disadvantage under which tradesmen labored with regard to the patent laws in New Zealand. Ho thought protection should be given this class oi men ; but such was not the case, as they were compelled to spend something like £-50 or £60 to get a patent, personal application at Wellington being necessary. The American law was much to be preferred. In the States a patent could bo obtained at any post-office. In this country a good tradesman was likely to die with his thoughts. He referred to his having put up the machinery in Bycroft's mill, and said if protection had been affoi dec! him he would have made many impiovements He trusted that the members of Parliament present would givptlie matter he referred to their attention. Capt. Btcele proposed "Tho Go\eminent of New Zealand." He sympathised with Mr B.vte, and considered that the same protection should be afforded to the product of a man's brains as to the product of his land. He congratulated Messrs Knox and Ridler. Lie was not much of an engineer, but he knew enough to see that everything had gone smoothly that day. He was fully of the opinion that the venture would prove a commercial success, and urged the settlers to give it their utmost support. Regarding the toast, winch lie coupled with the names of Messrs VVhyte and Whitaker, he considered that the Government m its present situation wis deserving of their wannest sympathy. The toast was heartily received. Mi Whyte. in responding, said it gave him great pleasuie to be present that day. In au agricultural district such as this, the establishment of industries w<'is a most important factor in opening up the country. Some alteration had been made in the patent laws la^t session. He was glad Mr Bate had referred to this matter. It was thp duty of the people to point out any inequality or absurdity in the law, so that their representatives could have an opportunity of setting them right. Mr Whitdker Slid he would limit his

reference to politics to congratulating them and the colony at large upon the greatly improved condition of the finances of the country. Referring to what Mr Bate had said, he believed the American system to bo the right one, but they must remember that no reforms are oflected at one leap. The inventors' brains should be

i protected equally with another's gold. Mr Knox said they had among them a representatiTe of one of the largest millin* firms in the south— Mr Legg, of the firm of Anderson & Co., Dunedin. He had much pleasure hi asking them to drink to this gentleman's health. He (Mr Knox) had been in the habit of getting" a good deal of flour from Anderson & Co., but he trusted that for the future he would not require to send out of the district for this article. (Hear, hear.) The toast was cordially received. Mr Legg in thanking them said he was there by tho merest accident. He was much pleased with what he saw around him. He had paid a visit to the district two years ago, and now remarked a great change for the better. It was a magnificent country, capable of produoing anything. The climate was a unsurpassed, And the land was equal to anything in the South. A proper rotation of crops, and a little better style of farming were all that were necessary in order to obviate the need for importing anything in the shape of produce. (Hear hear.) Mr Gwynne proposed " The Press " in flattering terms, and the compliment was duly acknowledged/ After the visitors had individually congratulated the proprietors on tho completion of thrir arrangraents, and expressed a hope that the mill would prove aenccess the company separated greatly pleased with, what they had seen and heard.

Captain Kunciman invites tenders for about a mile of ditch and bank at Tamahere. Mr J. M,< Gelling* returning 'officer for the borough of Hamilton, notifies that an extraordinary vacancy haying, through the retirement ,of Mr Price, been caused in -the Council, an election will be held on the xoth.of November. ; , F/'A.^hi|akernoti^es.thatihe will, - shortly^ a"ddres4'!the^electprs -of * 3 "Waipa* at r ~jtlie 7 different 'centres io'give v a"ii outline' of^ the 1^ ; '.and state fe'ia view of titfftfin.-; J, . . .« '^ ,