New Zealander, Volume 13, Issue 1174, 18 July 1857
Commercial Record.In the Colonial Flour Markets, South Australia has achieved a preeminence which we incline to think she will not long be permitted to retain unchallenged. The millers of Auckland have long had to contend against numerous difficulties and strong prejudices, but they have not, nevertheless been disheartened or discouraged: on the contrary, they have struggled manfully to overcome the one and to dispel the other. They conceive that, with adequate appliances, they should be able to manufacture fiour of equal quality to any produced elsewhere: and, under that impression, many large mills have been erected, at a great cost, in and around the City. These comprise four steam mills, one steam and water mill, two wind mills, and one water mill.
The most recently erected of these structures is the Wharf Steam Mill, the property of Messrs. Thornton, Firth, and Smith, The building is a spacious and substantial one with a scoria foundation and brick superstructure of four storeys. The machinery is complete, embracing all the most recent improvements adopted in the best mills in Great Britain. Fron the cleansing and dressing of the dirtiest samples of native wheat to the sacking of the manufactured flour ready for export, the machinery is perfect. The dressing apparatus is upon a new and improved principle, and the heat and moisture inseparable from the grist of common mills are here rectified by the application of powerful currents of cold air which circulate beneath the hoppers and cause the flour to be deliverer in a state of coolness calculated to avert the danger of heating and fermentation on shipment. We believe Messrs. Thornton, Firth and Smith will speedily be in a position to test their flour with that of every other offered in the Australian markets. At present, they work four pairs of stones, but three pair more are in process of being placed. Their engine is of 36 horse power nominally, and it works in the most smooth and beautiful manner. Their appliances for conducting their trade in all its branches are the most complete that modern ingenuity has been able to effect. This mill has been a costly one, and we would heartily hope in the hands of three gentlemen thoroughly conversant with their business that it will not only prove largely remunerative to themselves, but to the port in which they have established it. We see no reason why the export of flour should not be made to supersede the export of wheat; at all events, the proprietors of the wharf steam mill deserve every consideration for the energetic endeavours they have made to forward the best interests of the country in the commendable effort.
In noticing thus the new mill of Messrs. Thornton & Co., we should be unjust did we pass by the claims of Mr. F. W. Fletcher, who by his energetic action raised the character of the steam mill in Official Bay from insignificance to importance. Mr. Fletcher has been an enterprising and thoroughly practical colonist, and will, we hope, long continue to be a successful one.
Messrs. Low & Motion have also of late been adding largely to their premises, and to the improvement of their machinery. Water and steam power are equally at their command; and they have large stocks of wheat on hand in their spacious and well arranged granaries.
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