G Cliff and Co., Timaru, New Zealand 🌍

Timaru (#nz2111)

Timaru Herald, Volume IX, Issue 322, 27 June 1868

Steam Flour and Saw Mills. - It was only lately we gave a description of an iron and brass foundry recently established in Timaru, and it is now with pleasure we record still further progress made in local industries. A want long much felt in the town and neighbourhood has been supplied by the completion and partial opening of the steam flour and saw mills belonging to Messrs G. Cliff and Co. The buildings are erected on a piece of vacant ground opposite St Mary's Church, and are complete i every particular for carrying on operations. The engine-shed is 27 ft. x 16 ft., and adjoining this is the main building, 41 ft. x 33 ft., and 23 ft. 6 in. in height. Both buildings are constructed of timber, with iron roof, and resting on stone foundations, the larger one being built in three stories each eight feet clear in height. The engine, one of Marshall and Sons, of Gainsborough, England, is a nice, compact piece of machinery of eight-horse nominal power, but capable of being worked up to twelve horses. The fly-wheel, which is 5 ft. 1 in. in diameter, makes, when working at average speed, 125 revolutions per minute. The engine is supplied with water from a tank on Mr Cliff's premises by means of a wrought iron one-inch tube, of 330 feet in length. The tank is raised 16 feet from the ground, and is placed close to a well from which it is filled by a force pump. Working direct from the fly-wheel is a 3 ft. 10 in. pulley, which is intended to drive both the saw and flour mill machinery. The pulley which drives directly the circular saws is 5 ft. in diameter, and makes 1000 revolutions in the minute. Close alongside this pulley is a smaller one of 3 ft. to drive the flour mill machinery in the upper floor. The saw bench is 6 ft. by 3 ft. The sawing department is furnished with means of turning out mouldings of different sizes, for tonguing and grooving, planing, and other different kinds of work. There are six saws, from 1 ft. 3in. to 3 ft. diameter. The sawing of timber commenced last week, and the proprietors expect to have the mill machinery at work by the latter end of next week, having been delayed in commencing operations waiting for the numerous pieces of castings and iron work from Messrs Flockton and Co.'s foundry. As far as we can judge there seems to be all the usual appliances in the mill for turning out first-class flour. There are two pairs of millstones of best manufacture, each pair weighing a ton. We observed in the upper floor a wire-cloth dresser and a silk dresser, and nothing apparently seemed wanting for securing a good trade to the mill, which we trust it will receive.