Press, Volume XX, Issue 4091, 6 September 1878
TENDERS are invited for the ERECTION of a FLOUR MILL, to be erected at Wakanui, for Mr Moffat. Plans and specification may be seen at my office, where tenders will be received up till SATURDAY, the 14th of SEPTEMBER. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. J. S. M. JACOBSEN, Architect &c.Ashburton Herald, Volume II, Issue 423, 14 August 1879
Notice. H. MOFFAT begs to inform the inhabitants of Ashburton and surrounding districts that his NEW FLOUR MILL AT WAKANUI HAS COMMENCED WORK, And hopes, by strict attention to business, and turning out a First-class article, to merit a share of public support.Ashburton Herald, Volume II, Issue 463, 30 September 1879
Special attention paid to Gristing, and Farmers from a distance can have their Grist ground by return.
Mr. Moffatt's Flour Mills, Wakanui.
by OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.
Having received an invitation from Mr. Henry Moffat to inspect his newly-erected flour mill, I availed myself of an opportunity which presented itself on Thursday afternoon to view the property. A very pleasant ride of some six miles through rich and picturesque country brought me to Mr. Moffatt’s homestead on the Wakanui Creek, to which his mill immediately adjoins. Mr. Moffatt received me very cordially, and, like the rest of my agricultural friends he appeared very jubilant over the seasonable weather we have recently experienced. Having exchanged congratulations in reference to the propitious inclination of the elements, my horse was taken to the stable, and I accompanied Mr. Moffatt to the mill. The building, from a distance, presents the appearance of brick, but on closer inspectian proves to be of wood, painted to a color well calculated to represent the stronger material. It is divided by partition into two departments - a mill of four stones containing the machinery and necessary 'adjuncts,' and a store of two floors utilized as a granary and a chaff house. The two departments communicate by several doors, and conveniences are provided for removing produce from one to the other.
The first object to attract attention on entering the mill, which faces westward, is the office, a room 8 x 12, partitioned off from the main building. Here the accountant’s work of the establishment is conducted, and the details of the different arrangements appear well adapted to the requirements of the business, although.the space appropriated is scarcely sufficient. The main shaft, connecting the water wheel with the various gearing and stone spindles, and the machinery for accelerating the speed, occupy a large portion of the ground floor. VVheat elevators are arranged from this floor, to conduct grain to the grinding bins, which are situated in the higher portion of the building. The meal is also taken by the same means immediately it comes off the stones to the fourth floor, and thence to the silk dresser on the third floor. The stones, of which there are four pair, are fixed on the first floor, and are driven by cogs from spindles passing through from the ground floor. Mr Moffat does not at present use a blast or exhaust, but contemplates adding the latter before next season. Screw jacks are employed in lifting the stones, which enable a man to move them readily to any desired position. A cast iron prover, for correcting the staff employed in ascertaining the level of the face of the stones, and other necessary dressing implements are conveniently arranged on this floor. A medium sized smutter, the only wheat cleaning machine at present used by Mr Moffatt, is driven by cogs connecting with the main shaft by belts. The bran directly from the silk, and the flour from the bin or "pastry," as it is technically called, is taken down into bags on this floor. When small quantities of wheat are being ground, as in the case of farmers grists, the flour is taken direct into sacks from the silk-dresser, without passing through the bin provided for larger quantities, which it would be inexpedient to treat in this manner.
On the second floor there is a large oat crusher, a very simple and efficient machine composed of two large wheels running close together, and driven off the main shaft by belts. The flour bin or pastry into which the dressed flour is discharged from the silk is also on this floor. It will hold about ten tons of flour which can, as required, be taken into sacks. The third floor is occupied by the silk dresser, a 24ft. machine, a 12ft. bran duster, and the customary hoisting tackle. The latter contrivance is used, as its name suggests, in hoisting sacked produce from one floor to another; a pull of ten pounds on a small rope conveniently arranged enabling the merest child to move a sack of wheat as required. From the fourth or top story the grain bins are arranged, extending down to the second floor, and wheat can he run from them by spouts, either to the smutter or the stones. The stones are fitted with silk "damsels," which regulate the feed from the hoppers, and immediately the supply of wheat is exhausted the attention of the miller is called by a bell set in motion by a very ingenious arrangement. The water wheel composed of iron with wooden buckets, is sixteen feet high, eight feet wide and driven by a sixteen feet fall, and the water is brought to it by a cutting from the Ashburton river.
Mr Moffatt has built a very comfortable and well finished dwelling-house, and every convenience in the way of stabling and other outbuildings is provided. A men’s cottage is now in course of erection, and the garden and plantations, occupying a considerable area, have been attended to in the thoroughly systematic manner which distinguishes all Mr Moffat’s undertakings. The mill machinery is from the foundry of Mr John Anderson, of Christchurch, and reflects very great credit on that establishment. It was fitted up under the personal supervision of Mr Moffatt, and the evidence of careful inspection is everywhere apparent. The whole working of the mill is equal to any I have seen in New Zealand, and with the prospect of a good harvest, I anticipate that the courage and skill of the genial proprietor will be amply repaid by the prosperity which awaits him in the future.
Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 55, 31 January 1880
Following the Wakanui creek from this point towards the sea is a journey of some magnitude. The distance in a straight line from the township to the ocean is about ten miles; but if a pedestrian of ordinary travelling powers undertook to follow the windings of this erratic watercourse, we are prepared to give him a week to do the journey in. Anyhow, by following its sinuosities, we get in the long run to the best guide post in this whole district - Moffat’s mill - and here we found plenty of improvements to investigate and report on. As this report is purely an agricultural one, and the mill having been previously described in these columns, it must be left in the lurch on this occasion; but Mr. Moffat kindly invited us to visit a farm of his some five miles lower down the creek, if we took the road, but about five thousand miles away if the creek route was adopted. We took the road, and found one of those kind of fields which make a man, especially a farming man, feel on good terms with himself and all his neighbors. Mr. Moffat paid a long figure for this block about two years ago, when Mr. G. H. Moore sold all the land on the Wakanui run, and the purchaser of this farm was not far wrong when he bid so high a figure as L18 10s. an acre for this land. His judgement has proved to be as good regarding the quality of land as it is known to be in his better known capacity as a buyer of grain.
This "for let" notice ties together the farmer/miller at Lincoln, the grain merchant at Christchurch, and the miller at Wakanui as being one and the same: Lyttelton Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5928, 25 February 1880
TO BE LET BY TENDER.
TO LET for a term of years, one of the best Dairy Farms in Canterbury. It is at Lincoln being situated within one mile of the station of the Lincoln and Akaroa Junction Railway, and cortains 230 acres, 60 of which are in crop, and the rest down in grass, The buildings consist of a four roomed house, three-stalled stable, chaff-house, piggeries, & c.
Further particulars can be obtained on application at H. Moffat’s store, Manchester street, Christchurch, or at the Wakanui mill, Ashburton. Tenders to be sent addressed to H. Moffat, Ashburton not later than March 20, 1880. Possession will be given on March 25, 1880.
An ad appeared for a "storeman" Lyttelton Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6060, 29 July 1880
TO MILLERS.- Wanted a Storeman. Apply at once to H. Moffat, Wakanui Mills, Ashburton.However, that could well have been an incorrect assumption by the typesetter - later versions of the ad corrected it first to Stoneman, and finally "Stone Man" - presumably meaning a millstone dresser: Press, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4680, 2 August 1880
TO MILLERS.- WANTED, a Stone Man. Apply at once to H. Moffat, Wakanui Mills, Ashburton.
In 1881, the main axle of the waterwheel broke: Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 292, 14 March 1881
NOTICE TO FARMERS AND OTHERS.A haven't seen the further notice of when the repairs were done.
The AXLE of the WATER WHEEL of the Wakanui Mill having been BROKEN, I beg to intimate to my customers and the public generally, that GRINDING will be SUSPENDED until farther notice.
HENRY MOFFAT, Wakanui Mill. 14th March, 1881.
As well as the watermill, Moffat also ran a traction engine used to power a threashing machine: Ashburton Herald, Volume III, Issue 602, 17 March 1880
A traction engine, lately purchased by Mr. Henry Moffat, does her work uncommonly well, and can shift her cumbrous load with the utmost ease, besides being able to turn on a much narrower radius than a two-horse dray could. We saw her working at Mr. Patterson’s farm, on the north bank of the river, and a return of 46 1/2 bushels per acre of a splendid sample of wheat was the record.It was enough of a novelty in the district to attract attention: Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 76, 20 March 1880
Traction Engine. About 7 o’clock on Thursday, Mr. Henry Moffat's traction engine, with treshing machine and all appurtenances, travelled through the township, on their way to the Hinds. The engine came along the Wakanui road down East street, and was the subject of no little curiosity. It made just sufficient noise to attract attention, but it worked very smoothly, and travelled along the road at a moderate speed.However, Moffat found himself on the wrong side of the law over it: Ashburton Herald, Volume III, Issue 638, 30 April 1880
Resident Magistrate’s Court. Friday, April 23Lyttelton Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6024, 17 June 1880
(Before Mr. F. Guinness, R.M.)
THE ASHBURTON BRIDGE. Henry Moffat was charged with allowing a traction engine, his property, to be driven over the Ashburton bridge, contrary to the provisions of the Bridge Bylaws. The accused pleaded guilty.
Mr. Crisp, for the prosecution, said he was instructed by the Crown to plead for a heavy penalty.
George Moore, bridge-keeper at the north end, said that on the 18th March, about nine o’clock at night, he saw Mr. Moffat coming up the approach with a traction engine. Immediately closed the gate, and told Mr. Moffat he could not cross with the engine, and that a heavy fine would follow if he did so. Mr. Moffat opened the gate, and went over with his engine, notwithstanding the caution. The traffic was done for the day. No damage was done to the bridge.
His Worship fined the defendant L5, but disallowed costs, as Mr. Crisp appeared for the Crown Prosecutor, who was a salaried officer.
Mr Moffat, the enterprising proprietor of the Wakanui Flour Mills, near Ashburton - which, by-the-bye, are equal to any yet erected in Canterbury - has now utilised steam traction engine for the purpose of taking grain from the railway station, at Ashburton. Two heavy loads of flour were brought into Ashburton yesterday by means of this engine.A year later he comitted the same offence, but his defense was that although he was present at the time he no longer owned the engine which was now controlled by the bailiffs: Lyttelton Times, Volume LV, Issue 6306, 14 May 1881
Breach of the Ashburton Bridge By-Laws. - Henry Moffat, Wakanui, was charged with having committed a breach of the Ashburton Bridge By-laws, in having driven a traction engine along the Ashburton Bridge with the engine fire burning and undrawn. Mr Blood, instructed by Mr Joynt, appeared for the prosecution, and pointed out that the object of the bylaw under which the information was laid was to prevent danger to the railway works and to the public. Ordinary locomotives were supplied with fireboxes which prevented sparks or burning coal from falling on the timbers of the bridge, but traction engines were not so supplied, add the passage of engines of this kind over the bridge under steam was a source of danger. Michael Mullaney, bridgekeeper, proved that Moffat had driven his traction engine, under steam, over the Ashburton bridge on April 9, in defiance of witness’ cautions and despite his protestations. Moffat and his men had held the gate of the bridge open to allow the engine to pass, and had done so against the efforts of witness to keep it closed. Henry Moffat said be was with the engine on April 9, but had no charge of it in any way, as it was in possession of the bailiff. At the bridge the men opened the gate but witness did not do so. By Mr Blood : I have a very strong feeling on the matter of this bridge, and think the by-law is an absurd one, and ought to be done away. The engine being in charge of the bailiff, I had no interest in it whatever, but I gave no instructions for it to pass over the bridge, and did not hold the gate. The men with the engine were not in my employ, but they were before the engine’s seizure by the bailiff. I have been convicted on my own confession of a breach of this by-law. William Brown, bailiff, said he took possession of the engine on April 9 for the Loan and Mercantile Agency. The engine was taken over the bridge by his instructions to the men. Moffat had no charge of it whatever, and he never interfered with the gate. Peter Stewart, one of the men employed at the engine, said that Moffat was not at the gate. Henry Wakelin also gave evidence as to Brown being in charge, of the engine. Counsel having addressed the Bench, his Worship said that the evidence of both Brown and Moffat went to show that the engine was in charge of the former and not of the latter, and he would dismiss the case. Two other informations arising out of the case were withdrawn.As hinted at, Moffat was in financial difficulties, and a sale of his estate was arranged. This included steam engines, and separately the mills at Lincoln and Wakanui: Lyttelton Times, Volume LV, Issue 6303, 11 May 1881
Also, At the same time, Will be offered that Valuable Property Known as THE WAKANUI MILL.By the end of the month, his bankruptcy was in effect: Press, Volume XXXV, Issue 4925, 31 May 1881
Doing a capital business and the centre of the greatest agricultural districts of this Province, together with DWELLING HOUSE, STABLES, Etc.
Also - A FARM OF 98 ACRES, Adjoining, and known to be of the very best quality of soil.
J. T. FORD & CO., Auctioneers.
In the matter of the Debtors and Creditors Act 1876 and the several Amendments thereof and in the matter of the bankruptcy of Henry Moffat of Wakanui near Ashburton miller a debtor - Notice is hereby given that at a first meeting of the creditors of the said Henry Moffat held at the Supreme Court House Christchurch on the 30th day of May instant Peter Cunningham of Christchurch merchant was duly elected trustee of the property of the said Henry Moffat and that the acceptance by the said Peter Cunningham of such trusteeship has beon duly filed in the said Court - Dated this 30th day of May 1881.Moffat continued to be miller at the mill, as was evidenced by him being referenced in discussions about public water supplies: Lyttelton Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6389, 19 August 1881
A. R. BLOXAM, Deputy-Registrar
JOYNT AND PERCEVAL, Solicitor for the said debtor.
Mr Edwin Thomas said that what was wanted most was a never-failing stream, and that he believed could be procured from Mr Moffat’s mill-race. Mr Moffat had told him that he would be happy to allow a supply to be from the race if the district would pay half-cost of the protective works in the river.Application was made to discharge the bankruptcy later that year: Lyttelton Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6430, 6 October 1881
Notice is hereby given that on Friday the twenty-eighth day of October instant at the hour of eleven o’clock in the forenoon or as soon thereafter as counsel can be heard counsel on behalf of the above-named debtor Henry Moffat will move this Honorable Court for his order of discharge pursuant to the said Acts. Dated this 5th day of October 1881. JOYNT & PERCEVAL, Solicitor for the said debtor.Moffat announced his return to operating the mill: Lyttelton Times, Volume LVII, Issue 6540, 11 February 1882
WAKANUI FLOUR MILL.Lyttelton Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 6741, 5 October 1882
I BEG to notify that I have RE-COM-MENCED BUSINESS, and I take this opportunity of recording my thanks to my friends and the public for the valuable support accorded me, and beg a continuance of the same.
Farmers from a distance can have their grist ground by return. Good stable and paddock accommodation. No extra charge.
Cash buyer of grain. Sacks supplied to farmers.
I will attend at the Somerset Hotel, Ashburton, on Saturdays, and at the Mill on Mondays, for the purchase of grain.
H. MOFFAT. Postal Address, Addington. February 1st, 1882.
"Wakanui Flat Water Supply: The races in this district are now in operation. I have seen Mr Moffat, of the Wakanui mill, who agrees to maintain the race in river bed, according to terms stated in accompanying letter, and I would recommend that his offer be accepted." ... WAKANUI FLAT SUPPLY. An agreement was approved of with Mr Henry Moffat to keep up a constant and full supply in the Wakanui races, the supply to which was taken from a source common to them and Mr Moffat’s mill race - the Council paying half-cost of all expense incurred by him in restoring the channel in the river bed after freshes.Moffat made arrangement to leave the district: Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 803, 27 November 1882
IMPORTANT SALE AT WAKANLI MILL.In 1885, Moffat got married, and was recorded as living in Otautau: Southland Times, Issue 8068, 24 July 1885
THURSDAY, 30th NOVEMBER, 11 30 sharp.
ALFRED HARRISON, favored with instructions from Mr H. Moffatt, who is leaving the district for Southland, will Sell by Public Auction, at the Wakanui Mill, on above date, the whole of his Stock, Implements, &c., &c., as follows:
DRAUGHT HORSES. ... HACKS. ... CATTLE. ... IMPLEMENTS. ... also, Flour, bran, crushed oats, 3 tons bright oat straw chaff, free from wire 50 sacks pig meal, 1 stack hay, 1 stack straw, 3 cords firewood HARNESS. ... FURNITURE. ... CROPS. 70 acres wheat, in splendid condition Pasturage of 15 acres of grass, with water in paddock until 1st March next.
This sale demands special attention, as Mr Moffatt wishes it to be distinctly understood that every line will be cleared WITHOUT THE SLIGHTEST RESERVE
Luncheon at 11 o’clock. The sale will commence at 11.30 punctually. THURSDAY, 30th NOVEMBER.
Mr Moffat requests that all Accounts be sent in for payment by November 30, and all Accounts due to him be paid by same date.
Farmers having Grist in Mill are requested to take delvery at once.
Terms - Cash or approved bills.
ALFRED HARRISON, Auctioneer.
MARRIAGE.He shifted from flour mills to flax mills: Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2281, 15 November 1889
Moffat - Hardwick - On the 23rd July, at St. John's Church, Invercargill, by the Rev. Harry Stocker, Henry Moffat, Utautau, to Catherine Susan, eldest daughter of John Hardwick, Waicola.
Mr H. Moffat (late miller of Wakanui mills) sustained a great loss some weeks back. As I said in my last letter be had two flax mills at work, but since then one was burned down and over £400 worth of dressed material destroyed. Of course there is no Insurance obtained on flax mills down here. The energetic little man has, however, managed to got another start.
Alex Protheroe ran the mill for a while: Lyttelton Times, Volume LXV, Issue 7754, 11 January 1886
WAKANUI MILL-RACE. Mr Protheroe wrote, renewing his application for a supply of water for Wakanui Mill, from the Wakahui Creek. A Committee, consisting of Messrs Wright, Leadley, Harper, and the Chairman, was appointed to consider the question, and report at next meeting.Star, Issue 5576, 25 March 1886
It is satisfactory to learn that the Wakanui flour mill, a large and important factory, is, after standing idle for a lengthened period, once again to be set in motion, Mr Alexander Protheroe, of Wakanui, having leased the property. Work will begin in about a fortnight.Lyttelton Times, Volume LXV, Issue 7825, 3 April 1886
WAKANUI MILL.Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1534, 16 April 1887
The Committee appointed to deal with Mr Protheroe’s application for a supply of water for Wakanui flour mill, reported. They recommended allowing Mr Protheroe to dam up the water in the small creek flowing past the intake of the Wakanui mill race, and to make use of the water in the said creek, or branch of the river, for driving the Wakanui mill, provided that no works shall be undertaken by Mr Protheroe to increase the volume of water in the said creek without written authority from the Council; neither should the Council be held pledged in any way to maintain the supply now flowing, nor be barred, if need be, from shutting off the supply entirely.
A petition from 20 farmers in the district prayed that no water be allowed to be taken from the river.
The report of the Committee was adopted, and copies of it ordered to be sent to the petitioners.
WANTED Farmers and others to know that I am still doing GRISTING at the Wakanui Mill - A. Protheroe.
The Wakanui mill was later refitted as a roller mill: Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIII, Issue 2574, 26 January 1892
WAKANUI MILL.Despite the machinery being just newly installed, the mill apparently had to be closed again for it to be overhauled, as evidenced by another reopening announcement: Ashburton Guardian, Volume XV, Issue 3461, 13 December 1894
RECONSTRUCTION OF THE INTERNAL ARRANGEMENTS.
INTRODUCTION OF THE ROLLER SYSTEM.
(BY OUR OWN REPORTER.)
For many years the Wakanui Flour Mill has been a sort of landmark to the travellers in the district. Standing as it does in a central position, it serves as a mark on the left for the Beach road travellers, and on the right for Seafield wayfarers. It was built by Mr Henry Moffat in 1879, and at the time its necessity was accepted on all hands, as well as its erection adduced as a proof of the progress the district was making. Few districts have been more rapidly settled by small farmers than Wakanui was, once the land was thrown open, and it was owing to the rapid settlement of the land on both sides of the river that the town of Ashhurton burst into importance and bulked in the public eye as a place of mark. In a few months so many farmers had settled in the district, and so many men had come to the town to aid in the building of their houses and the supplying of their other wants that buildings ran up in Ashburton almost like Jonah's gourd, in a night, and many of them were actually let to tenants before the piles were laid. It was in those times that Mr Moffat saw an opening for a flour mill at Wakanui and built the one now standing. For years Saunders' Mill (now the Canterbury) had been in actual work, and had made a name for itself throughout the colony; Westerfield Mill had also been working; and we are not certain that the Waterton Mill was not at work also. But all these were a long way from the doors of the Wakanui farmers, to whom the advent of Mr Moffat was very welcome. The mill held its own for a considerable time and did good work, but the depression of the earlier "eighties" was felt by it with keen force, and it had, like many another industry, to shut down. This was much to be regretted, as it represented a considerable amount of capital, that had been expended in its erection and the bringing in of a race from the river to turn its ponderous wheel. For a lengthened period that wheel was still and the mill silent, but eventually Mr Alex. Protheroe again set it going, and held it for a time until Mr Edwin Thomas, its present proprietor, succeeded him.
The old mill began work with four pairs of stones, but increase of business soon rendered another two pairs necessary, and these were added.
But during the last ten years a great change has come o'er the spirit of the millers' dream, and the old millstone is now as completely superseded by the steel roller as in the art of printing the old hand press has been superseded by the cylinder machines. A hot controversy raged for years all over England, America, the Continent of Europe, and the Colonies in regard to the merits of roller made and stone made flour, and the stone millers held tenaciously to their old system. Whoever may be in the right in that controversy the public have settled it in a very practical way, for £1 per ton more is obtained for roller flour in every market than for the stone made article. In all industries it is the financial result that settles the question of which system of working must be adopted, and so all over the world the old millstones are being lifted from the beds on which they rested, in some cases for more than a century, to make room for the new child of the inventor's genius. Some four or five years ago this change took place at the Canterbury Mills, and since then most of the larger milling establishments in the colony have followed suit. In the beginning of last year Mr Thomas, the proprietor of Wakanui Mill, recognising the superiority of roller milling over stone milling, determined to keep abreast of the times and placed an order for a complete set of roller milling plant with Henry Simon, milling engineer, Manchester. Henry Simon is one of the largest and most successful milling engineers in Great Britain, and plants from his foundry have been erected in every part of the milling world where millers have sense enough to recognise the superiority of the rollers, and can scrape together capital enough to purchase the new plant.
The roller plant for the Wakanui Mill was ordered in May last, and October saw it landed in Ashburton and conveyed to the mill. Mr Alfred A. Fooks, to Mr Thomas's order, drew detailed plans of the building, carefully noting the exact position of every post in the mill, and every item of the old stone machinery. These were sent to Mr Simon, who from them sent out to Mr Thomas other plans, on which the position of every item of the new machinery was shown. So rigidly accurate were these plans in every particular, that Mr James Cockburn, Mr Thomas's "jolly miller" was able, with only the assistance of Mr Keeley, carpenter, to erect and place in position every wheel of the whole concern. There was a scarcity of carpenters when the plant arrived, so that the whole work of making the immense length of wooden elevator spouts devolved upen Mr Keeley. The work, however was got through with fair speed, and it says much for Mr Cockburn's constructive powers that, when the mill was started not a hitch occurred, and not a single elevator required its angle altered.
As a description of the mill has not appeared in these columns since Mr Moffat built it "a many years ago," it may not be uninteresting to our readers to give some account of it in its reconstructed condition.
The building is of wood, sixty feet x sixty feet x forty feet, and five storeys high. The power is supplied by an overshot water wheel, working in the race already mentioned. The wheel is eighteen feet in diameter, and from twenty-five to thirty h.p. Power from it is transmitted to a large spur wheel on the main shaft of the mill, whence power for the rolls is conveyed by a nine-inch double leather belt, copper sewn, to a shaft the full extent of the lower floor of the mill, by which the rolls, as the millers call them, and all the other machinery in the mill is driven.
On the second floor of the mill are placed three double sets of rolls and one single set - seven pairs in all. Three of these rolls put the wheat through three processes called "breaks" and the remainder of them reduce the middlings and the semolina, the latter being what remains of the wheat after the bran and a certain proportion of fine flour have been separated from it. Be it understood that at every reduction of the wheat a greater or less quantity of fine flour is obtained and admirable provision is made all along the line for the conveyance of this fine flour to its ultimate destination. On this floor have been left two pairs of stones - one for the production of wheat meal, and one for the manufacture of pig feed. The flour, bran, and sharps are all bagged on this floor.
On the third floor is placed a double rotary "scalper," which supplies an intermediary process, between the first three "breaks" and reductions. There are also four centrifugal dressing machines, used for separating flour from middlings and offal after it has left the smooth rolls. Here, again the processes are very finely graduated, and right through the whole machinery, from the first breaking of the wheat upon the fluted rolls to its reduction to fine flour, on the smooth rolls, and its dressing through the very finest of silk, the processes are very finely and gradually carried on. There is also here a "double effective purifier," for purifying semolina before going back to the rolls to be further reduced and to add another contribution to the accumulating stock of fine flour.
On the fourth floor, there are three dressing machines, one a large grading reel of twenty-four feet long, a relic of Mr Moffat's time and still in use, another eleven feet long, used as a third break "scalper," and a third for dusting fine middlings. The last named was made by Mr J. H. Carter, of London. There is also by the same maker a large purifier for fine middlings, besides three large bins for storing wheat after it has passed the smutter, which is on this floor also.
On the fifth floor there are only the tops of the elevators, of which there are ten sets for elevating the different grades of stuff from the various machines, and run from top to bottom of the mill. Of these elevators there are about 800 feet, and running in them are endless belts on which are fastened at proper intervals the cups that pick up the stuff, and carry it onwards to the next process, only again to be picked up by another set of cups and carried forward still farther. For this purpose there are also used what are called worms, a sort of Archimedian screws, that sweep the flour onwards on its journey towards the requisite degree of fineness.
The wheat is elevated from a bin on the bottom floor to the fourth, and delivered into a large bin above the smutters. It then passes through an 'aspirator' and separator, and thence into a decorticator, thence again into an upright smutter, called the "Economic," which is expected to take away all the smut balls without breaking them, so that no trace of smut is left in the wheat. From all these processes the wheat passes to the bins to begin the process of flour making. In the mill there is also a large crusher for general purposes of feed. The capacity of the mill is three sacks an hour, of 200lbs each, and it is pleasing to be able to say that the mill is fully employed; and the flour, for the short time it has been in the market, is already very popular with the bakers.
Wakanui Mill.
RE-OPENING
EDWIN THOMAS BEGS to announce to his friends and the public that he has RE OPENED his Wakanui Mill. The superb roller plant has been completely overhauled by the expert from Manchester where it was made, and several new machines added, so that flour second to none in the colony can now be produced.
Mr James Cockburn has the management of the Mill, so that a perfect guarantee for the excellence of the product is secured.
Grists left at Mr J. Thomas' store (opposite Mr Harrison's), will be carted Free of Charge, and the gristing will be done at the lowest Rates.
Edwin Thomas, PROPRIETOR.
The mill was sold by Edwin Thomas, to Thomas Rollitt: Lyttelton Times, Volume CII, Issue 11963, 7 August 1899
The Wakanui flour-mills have changed hands, Mr Thomas Rollitt, late of the Canterbury Flour-mills, Ashburton, being the purchaser.However the Rollitt name was still associated with his former mill in Ashburton, so he was keen to point out the change: Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXI, Issue 4929, 30 September 1899
TO ALL MY OLD CLIENTS, FARMERS, AND RESIDENTS OF ASHBURTON COUNTY.
I BEG to inform you that I have severed my connection with the Canterbury Mill, which was under my management for over seven years, and have PURCHASED from Mr Edwin Thomas the WAKANUI ROLLER FLOUR MILLS.
The Canterbury Mill, which is the property of the Bank of New Zealand Assets Board, is still trading under the name of Rollitt & Co., so to avoid confusion with correspondence, I would like to ask you to address all orders to THOMAS ROLLITT, Wakanui Roller Flour Mills, Ashburton.
On and after October 1st, I shall be pleased to supply you with first-class ROLLER FLOUR, WHEAT MEAL, BRAN & SHARPS, at lowest current rates.
FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF FARMERS DOING GRISTING, I have arranged to keep a supply of Flour, Bran, and Sharps at the Stores of the N.Z. Farmers' Association, West Street, where Farmers, Shareholders or non-Shareholdere, can leave their Wheat and get Flour, Bran, and Sharps in exchange.
THOMAS ROLLITT, WAKANUI ROLLER FLOUR MILLS, ASHBURTON.
Ashburton Guardian, Volume xxii, Issue 6285, 7 June 1904
WANTED a Boy, to milk and make himself useful. - Apply T. Rollitt, Wakanui Mill.
Ashburton Guardian, Volume XII, Issue 6523, 18 March 1905
Water Supply. - Owing to the Wakanui creek water supply being shut off for over a week or so, the settlers near that stream and in the Wakanui district generally, were much inconvenienced for a supply of water. Mr Thomas Rollitt, proprietor of the Wakanui Roller Flour Mills, was approached, and generously agreed to allow the County Council to draw a supply from his river intake to meet the requirements of the settlers - thereby necessitating his mills running on short time.
Plans were being made to move the mill: Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12305, 23 September 1905
Mr S. F. Whitcombe, Railway traffic Manager, was in Ashburton yesterday. He inspected the site for the siding that is to be constructed for Mr Thos. Rollitt's flourmills, which the owner intends removing bodily from Wakanui to Ashburton.Ashburton Guardian, Volume xxii, Issue 6699, 17 October 1905
Wakanui Flour Mills - Mr T. Rollitt notifies that no griuding will be done at the Wakanui Flour Mill after Monday, October 23rd, as the work of dismantling the mill for removal to Ashburton will commence on that day.Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12368, 6 December 1905
The Wakenui Road Board has decided not to aliow the contractor to remove the Wakanui Flour Mills along their roads to Ashburton, unless the owner (Mr Thos. Rollitt) and the contractor (Mr P. Norman) give a joint indemnity to the Board against any possible claim for damages from accident.Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXII, Issue 6766, 8 January 1906
THE WAKANUI MILLIn 1906, the mill was physically moved, complete with all the machinery inside, to Ashburton over 6 miles away! Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXII, Issue 6777, 20 January 1906
Mr Thomas Rollitt wrote with reference to the removal of the Wakanui mill and the indemnity required by the Board, asking for information under what by-law the indemnity was required. "I have been advised." wrote Mr Rollitt, "that it would be unwise for me or for the Board to take upon ourselves a liability for which neither myself nor the Board is responsible. With regard to the present condition of the road I should be glad if you would allow your overseer and an appointee of mine to make a full report on the present state of the road, so that there may be no dispute hereafter between us as to any damage done."
The Chairman stated that he had instructed the Clerk to reply in regard to the suggestion that the Board should act jointly with some person Mr Rollitt might appoint to assess damage to roads, that the Board could not divide its responsibility in this manner, and must be sole arbiter on the subject.
The Chairman's action was approved....
The Overseer stated the various works that had been attended to during the month. In regard to the Wakanui Mill, the building had now been shifted about half way, and no apparent damage had been done to the roads. The Overseer's report was received and approved.
The Removal of the Wakanui Mill.Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXII, Issue 6784, 29 January 1906
A GREAT HAULAGE FEAT.
With flag flying fore and aft the Wakanui Mill is now very near to the change of venue which the proprietor has decided upon. When the idea of shifting the mill first became known not a few wiseacres were heard to exclaim that the building would never stand the strain of the journey but an inspection of it this morning when it lay at the corner of Moore and West Streets showed that these fears were far from being realised and despite the combersome nature of the task no injury of any material description is apparent. Such surely is a state of affairs which reflects great credit on the skill of the contractor, Mr P Norman and his staff. An idea of the immensity of Mr Norman's task can be gleaned from a few figures as to the dimensions of the mill. It is a five floor building, 54ft in height to the ridge, 54ft in length with a width of 32ft. It was deemed advisable to leave all the machinery in the mill during the shifting operations to obviate the necessity of refitting. The weight of this machinery is estimated at 60 tons, which, with a computation of 200 tons for the building itself, makes a fair haul for the two traction engines employed in the contract. For the purposes of haulage the building was fitted with a 12in by 6in ironbark plate, which acted very smoothly in transit on the rollers and tramway used. Up to date the contract has covered eighteen working days during which period six miles have been negotiated - a performance on which the contractor and the owner of the mill, Mr T. Rollitt, have reason to congratulate themselves. The best day's work was one on which 32 chains of the journey were accomplished. About eleven years ago Mr Norman ventured with equal success on a similar task of fair magnitude when he undertook the shifting of the Convent from the Wakanui Road, Hampstead, to its present position in Havelock Street. The Convent was a large building being 80ft by 40ft but not by any means so heavy as the Wakanui Mill, while the distance traversed was only about a mile and a half. The mill, which was one of the oldest landmarks in Wakanui, was built by Mr John Moffat, about 33 years ago, and on account of a drop in the wheat market that gentleman relinquished the business. Some little time later Mr A. Protheroe took over control of the mill, retaining charge of it for four years. He was succeeded by Mr Edwin Thomas, who remained in possession six years, and from here it passed into the hands of the present proprietor.
Wakanui Mill-The Wakanui Mill is now in position on the corner of West Street and Kermode Street, and the brick foundations, on which it will rest, are expected to be finished to-day. The wheat cleaning machinery for the mill has arrived from England, and the steam engine - a 50 h.p. horizontal high and low pressure - is due to-morrow. It is expected that work in the mill - which will in future be known as Rollitt's Crown Roller Flour Mills - will be commenced in three weeks' time.
Press, Volume XLII, Issue 18805, 24 September 1926
The First Flour Mill.
A blacksmith's shop was built in 1878 by William Cockle, and as wheat growing was being undertaken on a large scale, a four-storey flour mill known as the Wakanui Roller Flour Mills was erected in a central position in the district by a Mr Moffat, to cope with the supply of grain. The mills were subsequently purchased from the Realisation Board by Mr Edwin Thomas, who, after putting in an up-to-date roller plant, sold to Mr T. Rollitt in 1899, and retired. The mill was driven by the Wakanui Creek, and supplied the local demand, which was sufficient to keep it running the whole year round; its capacity was from three to four sacks per hour. The building was ultimately removed to Ashburton on to a site on the west side near the bridge, where it stands to-day.
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