Wellington Steam Saw and Flour Mill 🌍

When Francis Molesworth, Edward Betts Hopper, and Hon. Henry Petre arrived from London in 1840, they brought with them a steam driven saw and flour mill.

The saga of the mill was chronicled at length in the New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, beginning with Issue 37, 26 Dec 1840 reporting

We announce with satisfaction that a saw mill and grist mill, which has been some months in the Colony, but in consequence of the death of a valuable Colonist, has not been brought into operation, is about to be erected immediately. The saw mill we believe can cut ten thousand feet in a day. And as this is a country in which grain can be preserved for years, without injury, it is to be hoped a stock will now be kept, ready at any moment to be worked up for use of the Australian markets.

The death refered to is that of Edward Betts Hopper, who drowned on 17 September 1840.

That notice was slightly premature, since a later report in Issue 41, 23 Jan 1841 announces:

Prospectus of a steam saw and flour mill company, To be established at Port Nicholson.

It is well known to the residents of Port Nicholson, that a valuable steam saw and flour mill was brought out from England by Messrs. Hopper, Petre, and Molesworth; and that its erection by that firm, as originally contemplated by them, has unhappily been frustrated by the lamented death of Mr. Hopper, and the consequent cessation of the partnership.

The mill, one of the most superior of its class, has recently been placed in the hands of a mercantile house in Port Nicholson, together with instructions for its immediate removal to New South Wales or Van Dieman's Land, in the event of no purchaser being found here.

It must be apparent to every reflecting man, that the removal of this mill from the Colony, if it be permitted to take place, cannot but be attended with evil consequences both to our reputation and prosperity. The superiority and abundance of New Zealand timber, has, as well in the Sister Colonies of Sydney and Van Dieman's Land as in England, been held out as one of the principal inducements to emigration hither, and with justice, for perhaps no country in the world produces greater variety of timber adapted to all purposes than this country. But what, it may be asked, will be the inference, should the only means we possess of rendering this timber available, be permitted to go from among us? There can be no other inference, but that either gross deception has been practiced in representing fine timber to exist where there is not enough to find employment for a single mill; or that the Colonists of Port Nicholson are sadly deficient in the spirit and capital necessary to render an infant community prosperous; either of which inferences would not fail to be productive of evil effects. New Colonies can least of all afford to suffer in their commercial reputation; and it is not sufficiently borne in mind here, that our adversaries in the neighbouring Colonies are neither few nor powerless. Perhaps it is not too much to say, that there is not a proprietor of a single section of land in this Colony, who would not eventually find the value of that land depreciated by the invidious remarks to which the removal of this mill would give rise in England and elsewhere.

The advantages of retaining the mill are equally obvious. It can be readily shown that a larger amount of profit than usually falls to the share of joint stock companies, cannot fail to be realized. Sawn timber has been sold at the mills in Hobart Town for SIX SHILLINGS per 100 feet; the price here is TWENTY-FIVE SHILLINGS. Wages, it is true, ARE LOWER in VAN DIEMAN'S LAND THAN HERE, not withstanding the statements which have been made by certain parties to the contrary; but this would make a trifling difference in the price of timber; at any rate, allowing the most liberal estimate, timber sawn by the mill could not cost more than SEVEN SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE the 100 feet, and the advantages of this in removing the MOURI houses from our beach, and substituting for them substantial wooden houses, must be too apparent to need further comment. The presence of a vessel in our port from Hobart Town, laden with timber, is also sufficient proof of what mill sawing will effect, (and it is a fact that she has realized not less than 150 per cent. by that timber.) Now if Van Dieman's Land, with only one or two kinds of exportable timber, can enter thus spiritedly into the trade, what may not New Zealand, with one hundred varieties of exportable timber, effect.

It has been proposed that every Shareholder in this Company shall have the option of taking from the mill a quantity of timber proportionate to his number of shares, at a fixed price. This alone would realize a handsome profit, independent of the general profits of the mill. The shareholder would thus, if he chose, become a timber dealer upon singularly advantageous terms, and he would at all times be certain of the sale of his timber, for the very plain reason, that no one could compete with him.

The advantages of the flour mill are equally great. Wheat may always be procured at Valparaiso, at a price averaging under £10 per ton. The advantage of supplying cheap bread to the Colony from this source needs not to be pointed out, and the profits would be considerable.

The proprietors of the mill, with the same public spirit which prompted them to import it, have offered it at the original cost in England, sinking the freight and the charges; an offer so liberal, that it can scarcely fail of finding persons ready to accept of it.

An eligible wharfage front at Te Aro has been secured at a low rate, and it has been ascertained that a capital of £3,000 in shares of £10 each, will be sufficient to erect and work the mill.

Further particulars will be given on application to Messrs. Ridgways, Guyton, and Earp, at their Stores, on section 209.
G. B. EARP, Sec. pro tem.

Port Nicholson was the name applied to what is now called more simply Wellington Harbour.

Issue 43, 6 Feb 1841 noted the apparent success of the prospectus in attracting investors:

Mr. Earp's prospectus has had the effect which we anticipated. We were confident it was only necessary to make the appeal, to accomplish the important object. A greater quantity of stock has been subscribed than is required to purchase and set the saw and flour mill in active operation. The necessary arrangements are making for its immediate erection; and we expect, in a few days, to find persons preparing the site of this important piece of machinery. We believe the saw mill will be in operation in about four months, when the colonists may expect a reduction in the expense of building houses, to the extent of about forty per cent.; in a few months, consequently, there is fair prospect of being able to build nearly two houses for the present cost of one. This mill is able to cut at least twice the quantity of wood required for local purposes; and as it will be kept in active operation, the port will soon be able to supply neighbouring settlements on a large scale, at moderate prices. The mill may, therefore, be deemed not only of advantage to Port Nicholson, but as of importance to the Island. When the saw mill is in successful operation, the flour mill will be added to the establishment, and at first will grind wheat obtained from other places; but we expect that this, with the Wanganui and Taranaki settlements, will, in a few months, be able to supply it with more grain than it can grind.

The Provisional Committee of the Shareholders of the Port Nicholson Steam Saw and Flour Mill Company are desirous of receiving tenders for the lease of a Town Section at the head of the Bay, with eligible wharfage. Persons wishing to dispose of their sections for not less than 14 years, are requested to apply by letter to Messrs. Ridgways, Guyton, and Earp.
G. B. EARP, Sec. pro temp.
Wellington, Feb 4, 1841.

UNION STEAM SAW AND FLOUR MILL COMPANY.
The shareholders in this undertaking are requested to meet on Tuesday next at 12 o'clock precisely, at the Stores of Messrs. Ridgways, Guyton, and Earp, for the purposes of determining upon a site for the erection of the mill, receiving the report of their Engineer, and chosing Directors for the ensuing year.
G. B. EARP, Sec. pro temp.

The Directors of the Steam Mill Company have been elected. They are Messrs. Earp and Wicksteed, and Captain Daniell. The place selected on which to erect the mill is town acre No. 222, a few acres beyond the Pah Te Aro. A call will immediately be made, as the Directors are anxious to get the mill into operation at the earliest moment.

DISSOLUTION OF PARTNERSHIP
Notice is hereby given, that the partnership subsisting between us, Hon. H. W. Petre, and F. A. Molesworth, trading together at Petoni, in Port Nicholson, as general agents, dealers and chapmen, has this day been dissolved by mutual consent.
F. A. Molesworth, Henry W. Petre. Witness - W. V. Beaver, barrister-at-law, New Zealand. T. M. Partridge. February 25, 1841.

UNION STEAM MILL COMPANY.
Notice is hereby given, that a call of £2 10s. per share has been made by the Directors; and the shareholders are requested to pay the same into the Union Bank of Australia, within one month of the date thereof. G. B. Earp, Chairman. Wellington, March 4, 1841.

We believe the Steam Mill Company will erect their mills upon an acre the property of Mr. Riddiford, adjoining the acre upon which the store of Messrs. Rhodes and Company and the Gazette Office stand. It is a very suitable land for the purpose, and we doubt if a better site could be selected.

Captain Rhodes, of the firm of Rhodes and Company, has erected a wharf in front of his store, in the rear of Manners-street. This is the first wharf built at Wellington; it is substantial and has four feet at low and nine feet at high water. Captain Rhodes has been so liberal as to state that the public are at liberty to make use of it, free of expense. This is a privilege for which many will be thankful, and of which we doubt not most persons resident at this end of the Bay will avail themselves. Messrs. Ridgway, Guyton, and Earp are preparing to erect a substantial wharf opposite their premises; and we understand Messrs. Waitt and Tinline have, in conjunction with Messrs. Partridge and Co., in contemplation running out a jetty opposite their premises. A wharf is also about to be run out near Barrett's Hotel, at the expense of several enterprising gentlemen in the neighbourhood ot Thorndon Flat. The moderate expense at which these several important works can be completed, will prove that great value may be given to property in this harbour at a trifling outlay.

Union Steam Mill Company.
A meeting of the Shareholders is requested on Thursday next, at 12 o'clock, at the Stores of Messrs. Ridgways, Guyton and Earp, to receive the report of the Directors as to the site of the Mill, and to decide upon the terms of the draft of the Deed of Settlement, which will then be presented to them. G. B. Earp, Chairman of the Directors.

The Union Steam Saw and Flour Mill Company
SHAREHOLDERS. in the above Company are respectfully informed that the Deed of Settlement now lies at my office, Manners-street, for signature; and will remain open for 14 days from tne date hereof.
Dated 4th June, 1841. W. V. Brewer, barrister-at-law

Union Steam Saw and Flour Mill Company.
The Directors give notice that the Deed of Settlement, as revised, will be ready for signature at Mr. Brewer's office, on Monday next. 25th June, 1841.

To Builders and Carpenters.
UNION STEAM SAW MILL.
Persons desirous of contracting to erect a building for the Union Steam Saw and Flour Mill, may see the specifications, after Monday next, at the Gazette Office, and are requested to send in their tenders to Mr. Revans. The Directors do not bind themselves to take the lowest tender.
G. B. Earp, F. A. Molesworth, J. T. Wicksteed. } Directors.
July 19, 1841.

Mr. Catchpool put his steam mill into operation a few days since, and it worked to his satisfaction. The engine drives two sets of griss stones and a circular saw. Logs are being brought from the Hutt and about the Bay for the use of this saw mill, which we hope will now soon contribute some wood to the market, for which there is a great demand. We believe this is the first steam mill erected in New Zealand. We heartily wish Mr. Catchpool every success.

The Union Steam Saw and Flour Mill Company have given out contracts for the erection of their buildings, and we hope their establishment will be in a state of forwardness in a few months.

The Amelia Thompson carried a steam mill to the Taranaki settlement, which we hope ere long to hear is in successful operation.

The Prince Rupert, daily expected, has also a steam mill, the site for which has not yet been selected. Queen Charlotte's Sound and Porirua Bay have been suggested as good districts, but we suspect it could make a trade for itself. With plenty of logs from the coast and grain from South America, and these mills, we shall be enabled to furnish Australia with some useful articles. As "manufacture makes produce," foreign grain converted into flour would be received at Sydney upon the same terms as flour made from New Zealand grain. We regard the imposition of foreign duties on the produce of New Zealand, of which we made mention last week, as quite temporary. So soon as the Colonial-office are made acquainted with this regulation, the Sydney Customs will receive instructions, under which our produce will be admitted on the same terms as the productions of Van Dieman's Land.

JAMES BURTON AND SONS, Millwrights, and Engineers, of John's Place, Holland-street, Southwark, London, beg leave to inform capitalists and the settlers in general, that they can be supplied on moderate terms and at a short notice, with steam engines of any power, horse and water wheels, wind mills, saw and oil mills, and every kind of mill and machinery suitable to a new settlement; either complete, or the iron and brass work, &c. only, ready to fix to the wood, with working drawings, to a scale, complete, and every detail and direction given to enable the purchaser to avail himself of the labour to be found on the spot, both for making the necessary framing, and for fixing the machinery. ...
For reference and terms apply to our agent, Mr. Henry Boyton, Engineer, Wellington, New Zealand.

Steam Mill Company. A meeting of Shareholders will take place this day, Wednesday, in the Exchange-room, Te Aro Flat, at 12 o'clock.

Steam Mill Company. A meeting of Shareholders will take place on Wednesday next, in the Exchange-room, Te Aro Flat, at 12 o'clock. October 8, 1841.

Union Steam Mill Company. — The meeting of shareholders will take place today at 12 o'clock, in the Exchange room, Te Aro Flat. We do hope that all the shareholders will show their interest in this important undertaking, by being present to-day.

Steam Mill Company. The meeting is adjourned until Wednesday next, at 12 o'clock.

A meeting of the shareholders in the stock of the Union Steam Mill Company took place on Wednesday last, in conformity with the public notice. Less than half the number of proprietors were present.

The object of the meeting was to enable the Directors to bring the affairs of the Company under the consideration of the proprietors. It appears that fifty shares are unsubscribed for; that the first call of £2 10s. upon such shares as are subscribed for ought to have yielded £412 10s., but £162 10s. of the amount, was still due consequently but £250 had been received, upon which to proceed with erecting the machinery. It was estimated that £1,000 more would erect the buildings and complete the machinery, when no further difficulty was anticipated by the Directors.

If the unsubscribed shares were disposed of, the first call upon them would yield £125. This added to the £162 now due, and which it was assumed the parties would have the good faith to pay forthwith, would make £287; add a second call on all these shares of £2 10s. per share, would yield £537 10s., which added to the other sum, made £824 10s., leaving a deficiency of £200, which might be met by making a call of less than £2 10s. when required.

If, however, the fifty shares were not disposed of, then it would require two further calls of £2 10s. to be made, or £7 10s. on each £10 share. The balance due of £162 10s., and two further calls, each yielding £412 10s., would amount to £987 10s., or very nearly the sum estimated as required to complete the Mill. But if, in addition to not disposing of these shares, those who, have not paid the deposit of £2 10s. persevered in their breach of good faith, and the whole means of setting the Mill in operation rested upon those who have thus far sustained it, then paying up the whole of the £10 on their Shares would not yield a sufficient amount. The first call has yielded £250, and three further calls would furnish £750, or £250 less than the amount required by the estimate. The foregoing we believe is a correct statement of the financial condition and prospects of the Mill.

We think it our duty to call to memory some of the circumstances connected with this Mill Company. The mill was imported by a private firm, which being dissolved by the death of one of the partners, led to the abandonment of this important enterprise. It became a question in what manner the mill should be disposed of. The proprietors were offered a certain amount for the mill by a party who purposed shipping it to a neighbouring colony. When this became known, it was considered, to allow it to go out of the harbour, would not be only parting with that which could quickly be rendered a source of profit to the place, but would be evidence of indifference to our own welfare, or inability to pursue it in the best manner. An appeal through our columns, led to a meeting, when the Company was formed to erect and work this machinery. The proprietors of the mill behaved in a most handsome manner. The one took shares equal to his half interest in the mill, and the other to about half his interest, consequently the first cost of the mill was thus met. All that was required, and is required, are the means of erecting the mill and the buildings. The mill was purchased at a cheap rate for cash in England. It was obtained for less than £2,000. While to have purchased it in the usual manner, and paid the expense of bringing it here, nearly £3,000 would have been required. This mill has been made over to the Company for a trifle more than £1,200 ; consequently the Company start with a saving of more than equal to that amount.

Upon some such statement as the above a greater number of shares were subscribed than were required. Upon a belief in the general good faith of the parties, the Company went into operation. Since then one has said "I would rather not have my shares" another "I did not quite promise to take shares," and so forth. Now these parties must know that had they not volunteered to become shareholders, the Mill Company would not have been formed. Their conduct is most disgraceful, and unfair to the original proprietors of the mill, who might have realized a good sum by allowing the mill to go out of the Colony. We cannot conceive how parties can feel conscientiously exonerated from their responsibility to those through whom the mill became the property, of the Company. If they had become parties to the purchase of a herd of cattle, or a cargo of sugar they know it would be the ruin of their commercial character to act in a like manner. But they must know their conduct is unjust, and if persevered in, they may hereafter find the old adage true.

The public are deeply interested in this Mill Company coming into operation. It will lower the price of timber materially; and besides affording an abundant supply to the place, it could cut several cargoes for export; and we are convinced that the profit on the Saw Mill alone would be very large.

It is stated the Mill could cut 15,000 feet a day. But we will make an estimate upon one third of that quantity, or upon 5,000 feet, to be sold at ten shillings per hundred feet; half the amount to be expended in paying for logs and the other five shillings to be the share for sawing. The quantity per week at 5,000 feet per diem, would be 30,000, which at five shillings per hundred, would yield £15 per week or £3900 per annum. Suppose the Mill expenses amount to £1900 per annum, which is an enormous estimate, and £2,000 remain as dividend upon stock of £3,000, payment upon which to the amount of £2,000 only is needed. Let any deductions be made that may be thought prudent, still we maintain the balance would show that the Mill Company would be highly profitable. But put the Flour Mill also into motion, and we believe this Steam Mill Company would be the most prosperous concern in Port Nicholson. We wish it were in our power to prove our conviction, by abandoning our printing business, and becoming sole proprietor of that enterprise.

It would be far wiser to expend any capital that can be raised to bringing the Steam Mill into operation. The capital so expended would return a profit to the proprietors, and be a great source of prosperity to the Port. The Colony has not sufficient capital to warrant its disregarding the mode in which even one or two thousand pounds are expended.

Many months passed before the mill is mentioned again in Issue 153, 25 June 1842, which relates:

We long since recorded the fact of our having a Steam Saw and Flour Mill in full operation in Wellington. We are happy to be enabled to state that it is expected that Messrs. Kebble's Steam Saw Mill on the Manawatu, will be in operation in a few months. We had hoped long ere this to have announced that the Union Steam Mills were in operation; but the struggle has been unsuccessful — the public could not see their own interest. Had the paltry amount required been subscribed, in all probability sawn timber would by this time have been reduced from one or two and twenty shillings, to twelve shillings per hundred feet. The Mill, by such a reduction in the saving it would have effected in the cost of house building, would have quickly repaid the community three-fold the amount needed to set it in operation. Besides which, at twelve shillings per hundred, we are sure it would be profitable — if as well cut as they would be by a Saw Mill - to export our woods in large quantities to Sydney.
Mr. Watt is having the wheat, reaped at his farm, ground at Mr. Boyton's Mill. He expects to have nine tons of fine flour. This is the first instance of flour being ground in this part of the islands — and it argues well that the first ground should have been produced in the place.

Union Steam Saw and Flour Mill.
THE SHAREHOLDERS of this Company, who have subscribed the Deed of Settlement and paid their deposit, are requested to meet at the Office of Mr. Brewer, Manners-street, on Friday next, the 1st July, at 12 o'clock.
Wellington, June 28, 1842.

Union Steam, Mills.
ALL PARTIES having claims against, the Union Steam Mills, are requested to send them in forthwith; to the-undersigned.
W. V. Brewer July 14, 1842.

Most of the settlers express great anxiety on the subject of creating articles of export, yet very very few are prepared to aid in the desirable object when combined action is needed. We have already had to regret the impossibility of getting parties to take an interest in the Union Steam Saw Mill, though we think it might be shewn that each individual unsuccessfully requested to become a shareholder in the stock of that Company, has since lost the amount he would have had to contribute, in the difference he has had to pay for timber with which to build, over and above the price it would have cost, had that Mill been brought into successful operation. The amount needed was about one thousand pounds, and a contribution of fifty pounds by twenty persons, would have set the Mill in operation, and before this time the price of would have been diminished nearly half. The commonest wooden building that can be erected, would have been cheapened, and many of the better class of houses, would have cost less by the sum of from fifty to one hundred and fifty pounds. The shareholders would have received in all probability in the shape of reduced price of timber the cost of his share; while the community would in the use of wood from the Mill, have contributed towards large dividends upon shares, which may be said, to have cost the holders not a shilling. Further by cheapening the price of wood it would have been rendered an article of export, and would have before this very likely have paid a portion of the cost of stock imported from New South Wales. Our woods are excellent, and a quality which would recommend them in New South Wales, is their not being hard. The Carpenter could do much more work with our wood in the day, than he could with that of any part of Australia, and he could therefore do it cheaper. For this reason we have long considered that when our wood can be delivered at a certain price, it will be preferred for all purposes for which wood is required in the inside work of houses, in New South Wales. This has been repeated many times, and few are inclined to doubt it, still the cry is give us an export or we shall be ruined.

We have lately been informed that wheat will be grown on the Hutt this season, sufficient to yield two hundred tons of flour. The truth of this statement will probably be disputed, but be this as it may, there is no doubt that the Hutt will this season yield grain far surpassing the quantity which will be needed for seed next year. At the same time there is little reason to doubt the demand for Indian Corn meal is greatly on the increase, and we think will prove fully equal to the capacity of the present Flour-mill in Wellington. Consequently we have before us the prospect this year of having to export our grain to get it manufactured, and should this be necessary the price it will yield to the grower will not be in conformity to the price of flour here, but with the price of flour in the market to which it is exported. Having thus to deal with his grain would in our opinion, make a difference to the grower, of from one third to one half, in the way of deduction from the price he would otherwise obtain.

Not only is it reasonable to expect a considerable increase of grain from the Hutt next year, but we may expect supplies from other valley's in the neighbourhood of the Town; from Wanganui, from Taranaki, and from Nelson, it is therefore evident the colonists should be up and doing, if they wish to avoid any unnecessary deduction from the profits of agriculture. It will indeed be a circumstance alike discreditable and discouraging, to find it necessary to send our grain twelve or fifteen hundred miles, to be rendered fit for the use of man.

It is evident that we shall soon have grain sufficient to support a flour-mill, and it is equally clear that if immediate steps were taken to secure an efficient Mill for the Colony, it could not be provided before it will be needed. The undertaking would therefore now be peculiarly timely. If we do not prove ready to give the highest price which can be obtained for wheat, that which is produced at Taranaki and other parts of the coast, will not find its way into this market. And if we are not prepared to grind wheat, we cannot even give the price which may be obtained for it in Sydney, and to Sydney direct under such circumstances it may be expected to be conveyed. As yet Nelson has no flour-mill but if one be erected there before we erect one here, a trade which otherwise would have been ours will be intercepted, and even the Colonists of the older settlement will have to resort there and pay tribute. This however, for New Zealanders would be far better than having to send to Sydney, to which we must all resort, greatly to the disadvantage of all the settlements, if a good Mill be not forthwith erected here or at Nelson.

The Saw and Flour Mill Company appealed in vain to the public for support. Had that Company received the trifling aid required, ere this the capital would have been more than repaid to the community, by the reduction in the price of timber which would have been the consequence. At the sametime the Company would in all probability now have been engaged upon the useful task of erecting its Flour Mill, with a perfect conviction that soon after it was ready to commence work it would be usefully and profitably employed. Whether the Company could be resuscitated we know not; but if it could not be in its old form, it might be advantageously in a new shape. The sawing machinery might be disposed of and would very likely be soon put in motion by water power in some district near at hand, and the steam engine power might be devoted with advantage solely to the purpose of grinding. We commend this important subject to the serious attention of the public.

Union Steam Saw and Flour Mill Company.
THE SHAREHOLDERS of the Union Steam Saw and Flour Mill Company are requested to meet at Messrs. Brewer and Blathwayt's Office, Manners-street, at 12 o'clock on Thursday, the 2nd May, to take into consideration matters of importance.
By order of the Trustees,
W. V. Brewer.
February 25, 1843.

As a interlude from talking specifically about the Union steam mill, an article in Issue 260, 5 July 1843 talks more generally about mills, though still decrying the lack of a regular mill:

We congratulate our fellow Colonists on the power they now possess of procuring flour, the produce of our own capital and our own enterprize. The agriculturalists of the Hutt are now sending in their wheat, to be ground in Wellington. The quantity, indeed is but small, because the culture of grain is as yet but an experiment; not indeed as to any doubt of the capabilities of the soil in the Hutt district, but whether under the enormous expences of clearing the land — high wages, and impassable roads — the growth of the "staff of life" will be attended with any reasonable rate of profit. The quality, however, of the wheat we have seen, is equal to any produced in England, and it should consequently make as fine flour. Although the colour may not be so purely white as that at Valparaiso, since we have no regular mill yet erected, we will venture to assert it will be sweeter, and "go further" as housewifes say, and that the best household bread if not the "finest, wheaten" may be made from it. Be this, however, as it may, we look upon every pound expended in its purchase, as a pound sterling retained in the Colony, which otherwise would be exported to Chili, Sydney, or the speculators know where. So long as we send our money away to purchase necessary food, so long are we collectively and individually on the high road to ruin. Every one sees and knows this, and therefore every one who regards merely his own interest, should be glad to pay even something more for Native corn or flour, than for such as he goes to purchase in Chili or Sydney. In the one case, his money remains in the Colony, and is applied to pay labourers for raising more food. In the other, it is "transported beyond seas" it is never seen or heard of again, and is leaving us "poor indeed." We look on the consumption of "Native produce, as the only means of saving what capital is still left us, and we shall return to the subject in an early number.

To the Editor of the "New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator."
Mr. Editor, — Referring to an article which appeared in your paper of June,* in which you stated that the flour produced from the wheat grown in this Colony, is not so white or good as as it should be, owing to there being no regular mill in the place, you will oblige me by stating what a regular mill is, never having heard the term before used. And as to the colour and quality of the flour made at the irregular mill, I will challenge Valparaiso, or any other country, to produce a stronger or better coloured flour than I made last week, from some wheat grown at the Hutt by Mr. Molesworth and Mr. Shand. And I likewise ground at the same time, a single bushel of wheat for a baker in this town, from which I produced 53lbs of flour.

I should have answered your article sooner, but have been waiting until I could obtain a good sample of wheat. There is some very good at the Hutt, and some very dark with smut, owing to unclean seed. Farmers cannot be too careful in obtaining good seed.

I have written this, that the blame of dark flour may fall upon the right party. And when you have examined the samples that I have sent you, you will own that dark flour is occasioned by the farmer and not the miller.

Your most obedient servant.
Thomas Jordan.
A practical miller.
* Query, July? Ed. N.Z.G.

In reply to Mr. Jordan, we are extremely happy to learn that he has been so successful in producing first-rate flour from New Zealand wheat, as he asserts. The article alluded to was written by a gentleman who cannot at this moment be referred to; but we presume that by a "regular mill" he meant a mill similar to those which are commonly used in England; distinguishing them by that term, from certain hand and other mills at present more generally used in the Colony.

In fact the steam mill was never built. By late 1843 however two windmills were being constructed on opposite sides of Wellington Harbour, including one by Mr Molesworth who had originally been a partner in importing the steam mill.

Mr. Renall is a native of Heybridge, near Malden, Essex. He came out to the Colony, per ship "Martha Ridgway," in 1840, with a company of the fathers of the old Port Nicholson settlement. Mr. Renall had considerable experience with his father, who was a miller and carpenter, before leaving for New Zealand. On arrival in the Colony, he plunged into the bush, and took to the occupation of a farmer, in which capacity he found plenty of work for several years.
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About the year 1849–50, one Charles Mabey commenced to build a water-mill at the Taita. He was unable to complete the work, and Mr. Renall took the enterprise in hand. The mill was completed in the same year, 1850, and he commenced the work of milling, this being the first watermill erected in the Hutt Valley. Mr. Renall now prosecuted his new industry with great zeal, and worked the Taita mill for many years with large success.
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On January 22nd, 1855, that convulsion of nature, known a "the great earthquake," occurred. ... Mr. Renall was a sufferer financially to the extent of £130 by damages to the Taita mill, where the foundations were upset and misplaced. It was, however, promptly repaired, and continued to work till 1858, when it was destroyed by a flood, in which no less than fourteen of the settlers were drowned. This flood had a considerable, though indirect, influence in the settlement of the Wairarapa. The settlers who suffered by the Taita flood petitioned Sir George Grey to grant some relief, with the result that a large tract of land was set aside on easy terms of selection. Mr. Renall and several others came up to the present site of Masterton and chose their sections. ... He chose the site so long occupied by his mill, which he then built after felling the bush. Having splendid water-power, he erected a fine waterwheel equal to twenty-horse power. One pair of the three sets of stones placed in the mill are of historic interest. They were bought by Hopper, Peter, and Molesworth for a flour mill which was never erected. Mr. Renall bought up the remains of the Taita and Ngahauranga mills, the latter of which he bought to fit up the mill, which was completed in 1862, and was worked by him till recently, when he closed it up, since which time it has been destroyed by fire.