CANTERBURY SPINNING AND WEAVING COMPANY.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 401, 24 September 1875, Page 3

CANTERBURY SPINNING AND WEAVING COMPANY.

On the decline of the flax industry the Canterbury Spinning and Weaving Company (Limited) early last year, resolved to go in for the manufacture of wool into fabrics, beginning with blankets and plaids, and then in time intending to launch into the making of woollen cloth at the works near the Cam, Kaiapoi, After the mergingof the flax into a woollen concern, the directors ordered from England a suitable supply of machinery from Leach and Sons, Rochdale, Lancashire. This wag landed during the latter part of last year, and in about the second month of this, had been erected in working order. A full description of the various machines was given by us in the Press of February 4th, but as they had not then been tested, it was impossible to judge of their capabilities. With one or two interruptions, the works have been in operation during the greater part of this year. These breaks were occasioned by misunderstandings among the employees. But under the present management of Mr Joseph Hudson, it is found that the work people get along more harmoniously and the advancement made, as well as the general quality of the fabrics manufactured, satisfy the directors that he is the right man to further the interests of the shareholders. The machines are under the management of Mr Hoyle, who came out with them, and he also seems to be a man acquainted with his business. Allusion has been made to this question simply because the public ought to be assured that the company is now in the fairway of show ing great progress. Permission having been asked by many for leave to inspect the works, it was decided that when the engines had been well tested, and the hands had settled down to work under the new manager, cards of invitation would be issued by Mr J, M. Heywood, secretary, and the works thrown open for one whole day to allow the public, as well as shareholders, the privilege of seeing everything for themselves. Thursday last was therefore fixed upon for this purpose, and between 300 and 400 ladies and gentlemen were computed to have passed into and out of the premises, A special train conveyed several visitors from Christchurch and Lyttelton, and returned earlier than the ordinary train, while several were present from Rangiora and surrounding districts.- Amongst those present we noticed the Hon J. T. Peacock and Messrs H. J. Tancred, J. D. Macpherson, R. Wilkin, W. Day, J. Ollivier, P. Cunningham,

Walton, F. Strouts, W. Wilson, H. Hesketh. H. Blackett, J. Johnston, B. R. Good, the Mayor, and several members of the borough Council, H. Thomson, T. McClaichie, T, Mollett, I. Wilson, M.P.C., M. Dixon M P.C., F. Jones, G. Booth, A. Garrick, W, B. Bray, W. White. H. Moir, B. Steggall, P. Fcarne, J. Hobday, J, Birch, and a number of others ; while the directors, Messrs W. H. Lane (chairman), F. Jenkins, J. P. Jameson. C, Oram, B. Trent, and W.H. Packer (G. Hart being unable to be present), and Mr J. M. Ileywood, the active secretary, were indefatigable in their efforts to explain to visitors the modus operandi of blanket making. Ou arrival at the factory at noon the building was found to be densely crowded with visitors eagerly watching the progress of the wool from the washing machine to the drying ground, then to the teaser or devil, next into the scribbler, keenly scanning the way in which the fibre was separated by the cards, and emerging from this in the form of a piece of rope, to be passed on to the condensing carding engine, coming from it in several threads on to reels. Next they followed it to the mules, the warping mill, sizing machine, the beaming machine, the looms. Then came forth the blankets. These they saw washed, raised, dried, folded, and pressed also, in the sample room, and had the pleasure of inspecting the superior quality of the blankets, flannels and plaids as best they could among the crowd of persons who t‘ ronged the department, many of whom were anxious to give high prices for a local made blanket. The arrangements were excellent. All the machinery worked smoothly and without any appreciable vibration. At the condensing machine, persons were permitted to take off pieces of the yarn as souvenirs of their visit. The pumps and wringing machines also elicited a great amount of attention. About 120 ladies were present, who all. appeared to be delighted with the prospect of being able, at an early date, to purchase home spun woollens. Since the notice regarding the machinery was published it has been wisely resolved to place the wet machines into a separate room. In the adjoining compartment to the main building there is, therefore, now at work a sizing machine, washer, and wringer, as well as the wool washing machine, one which includes all the modern improvements.

la addition to washing the wool for manufacture the company also proposes to wash wool forstation owners. This it isevery waycapable of doing with the appliances at hand and advantage of unlimited soft water supply as well as drying ground. In the storeroom there were about 300 pains of finished 10 quarter and 11 quarter blankets of three qualities, several thousand yardsof flannel and twilled flannel or plaiding, with 40 or 50 pairs of blankets notyet finished. The direction purpose to sell the goods wholesale, and several bales have been sold by Mr J. P. Jameson. Any quantity could have been sold that day. Shortly it is intended to establish a depot at the office of the company in Cathedral square, where every information can be obtained. Hitherto it may be added there has been some difficulty in obtaining coarse wool, but as the season advances no doubt coarser blankets, such as would meet the requirements of the Government for gaols, asylums, and hospitals, could be supplied. During the inspection, it may be interesting to several to know that twenty-five persons, chiefly women and gills, were engaged in managing machines and looms, each of whom readily explained the working of every portion. In the evening a dinner was given to the employes at Oram’s Pier Hotel, after which a dance, kept up with spirit, was held in the Orange Hall, Sewell street.