Originally started by James Hassell, when he constructed his grand windmill in the same town, this small steam driven mill was managed by George Bruce.
The mill was imported (presumably from England) at the end of 1863: Otago Daily Times, Issue 627, 21 December 1863, Page 4
We understand, a machine is on the way out to Mr Hassell, of Oamaru, for threshing and grinding wheat and oats.The mill duly arrived: North Otago Times, Volume 1, Issue 6, 31 March 1864, Page 4
We observe that our enterprising townsman, Mr James Hassell, has imported a steam flour mill and thrashing machine, constructed after the latest improvements. They are the first introduced into this district, and will no doubt be of great service to the community. We wish him a hearty success.The mill was soon offereing quite a range of products: North Otago Times, Volume II, Issue 27, 25 August 1864, Page 1 (Supplement)
OAMARU STEAM MILL. ON SALE, by the Undersigned -
Flour, first and second
Sharps, bran and meal
Barley, seed and feed
Oats, seed and crushed
Rye Flour and Seed
Grass Seeds
Oaten Hay Chaff
Potatoes.
JAMES HASSELL. August 1st. 1863.
North Otago Times, Volume II, Issue 37, 3 November 1864, Page 3
PUBLIC NOTICE.Never one to rush to change his newpaper copy, Hassell's list of products from 1863 ran unchanged through to December 1864, but a changed list was used in 1865: North Otago Times, Volume IV, Issue 64, 11 May 1865, Page 3
IT being generally supposed that Flour made from Otago grown Wheat, will not keep for any length of time, the undersigned hereby guarantees to return the money for any Flour manufactured by and purchased from him, should such Flour prove unsound any time within twelve months from date.
JAMES HASSELL. Steam Mills, November 2nd, 1864.
OAMARU STEAM MILL.North Otago Times, Volume IV, Issue 65, 18 May 1865, Page 2
ON SALE BY THE UNDERSIGNED :-
Silk dressed Flour
Sharps
Wheat Meal
Bran
Barley
Oats
Hen Corn
Cave Valley Potatoes
Chaff, &c., &c.
JAMES HASSELL.
N.B. - WHEAT BOUGHT
From a sample of silk-dressed flour shown us yesterday, which was ground at Mr Hassell's mill, we say that, in quality and appearance, the Oamaru wheat, or rather flour, will compare favorably with any other in the market, and as high a price will be obtained for it as either Adelaide, Chilian, or Californian.Otago Daily Times, Issue 1107, 8 July 1865, Page 4
A glimpse is afforded of the progress of agriculture in the Province of Otago, by the following extract from the Oamaru Times:- "To all appearance, the farmers of the Oamaru district will soon be in a most enviable position, as regards facilities for the conversion of their produce into marketable articles and articles of consumption. Considerable convenience has already been felt through the establishment of Mr Hassell’s flour mill which is always in constant employment. The flour turned out continues to give great satisfaction, and under the name of Oamaru Silk-dressed, is rapidly obtaining for itself a fair fame, and a good sale at satisfactory prices. There is some talk of another flour mill being established on the principle of a Joint Stock Company, but we are not aware that anything practicable has yet been resolved upon. Yet another flour mill, to be driven by water power, will shortly be erected by Messrs Holmes and Campbell, at Totara. The machinery for this mill is understood to be already on the way out, and it is stated to comprise all the newest appliances. The water-wheel will be a cast iron one, six feet in diameter; and French burr stones will be employed. Many benefits to the community generally may be calculated to arise from the establishment of such mills in a rising agricultural district like our own."
North Otago Times, Volume VI, Issue 113, 19 April 1866, Page 4
WANTED, a MILLER. Apply to Jas. Hassell.North Otago Times, Volume VI, Issue 144, 26 April 1866, Page 2 (Supplement)
OAMARU FLOUR MILL.North Otago Times, Volume VI, Issue 116, 10 May 1866, Page 1
NOTICE.- All GRISTS must be PAID for before removal.
No responsibility incurred against loss by fire.
JAMES HASSELL.
NOTICE. - Several Complaints having been made to the undersigned that Flour sold (by other parties) as manufactured at the Oamaru Steam Mills being of bad and unsound quality this is to GIVE NOTICE that no Grists will be received from this date that are in any way OUT OF CONDITION.It was a major concern of Hassell's that wheat was processed to the best possible condition: North Otago Times, Volume VIII, Issue 183, 22 February 1867, Page 3
JAMES HASSELL. Oamaru, 2nd May, 1866.
ROBY'S CELEBRATED THRASHER, Fitted with Roby's Patent Screen.North Otago Times, Volume VIII, Issue 187, 8 March 1867, Page 3
THE Undersigned is open to engagements for THRASHING the SEASON'S CROP, and will guarantee to deliver samples of Wheat from the above Machine free from a single grain of drake.
JAMES HASSELL. Oamaru, 21st February, 1867
FLOUR.Hassell was also involved in the attempt to set up a grain export and kiln drying company: North Otago Times, Volume IX, Issue 247, 4 October 1867, Page 3
THE Undersigned will supply Oamaru Flour, of guaranteed quality, at the lowest market rates.
Present price, £12 per ton.
Apply to JAMES HASSELL, Or, CARGHLLS & M'LEAN.
NOTICE.
IT is proposed to HOLD A MEETING at the Northern Hotel, Oamaru, on SATURDAY, 19th INST., at 2 p.m., to take into consideration the expediency of FORMING A GRAIN EXPORT AND KILN-DRYING COMPANY FOR THE, OAMARU DISTRICT.
The undersigned, anxious to forward the Agricultural interests of the district, would EARNESTLY REQUEST THE ATTENDANCE of FARMERS, LANDOWNERS, AND MERCHANTS, to discuss this important matter. (Signed)
PETER AITCHESON. CARGILLS & MACLEAN. DALGETY, RATTRAY & CO. J. C. GILCHRIST. JAMES HASSELL. ALEX. M'MASTER. A. H. MAUDE. ROYSE, MUDIE & MILLER. TRAILL, ROXBY & CO.
October 3rd, 1867.
I'm not sure what job James Knox had working for Hassell - quite possibly he was not connected with the mill at all: North Otago Times, Volume VIII, Issue 197, 12 April 1867, Page 1
NOTICE.- Mr JAMES KNOX having left my employment, has no authority to receive money on my account.
JAMES HASSELL. Oamaru, 8th April, 1867.
Otago Witness, Issue 1017, 27 May 1871
Mr Bruce's mill is a small one with only one pair of stones, and was the first mill erected in the place by Mr Hassell, whose enterprise in various ways has done much for the district. This mill can grind about two tons of flour in the twelve hours.
Otago Daily Times, Issue 19024, 21 November 1923
Mr Hassell erected the first mill in the district - a steam mill at what is now the top of Severn street. Mr Roberts’s "History of North Otago" records that under the able management of Mr George Bruce this mill turned out good flour and encouraged the sowing of a greater breadth of wheat in the district than hitherto.
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