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The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864-1933) (about)
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Cite: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1334672
2 corrections, most recently by cmt17 - Show corrections
VISIT OF THE GOVERNOR TO THE
BRISBANE SAW MILLS.
His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by Captain Verney, paid a visit to tho Brisbane Saw Mills yesterday afternoon about hulf-past 3 o'clock. HiB Excclloucy was roccived by Mr. W. Pettigrow, tho propriotor, nnd oonductod down tho wooden mill-road, to tho wharf, whoro ho was shown tho railway for conveying tho timbor prepared at tho mill down to tho wharf for shipment. Tho railway is of a very sub- stantial construction, tho gauge being 18 inches, with a curve of about 20 feet. Tho parly thou proceeded aloug tho wharf to havo a viow of tho mannor in whioh tho logs wero lifted from tho wator by a stcain-crano, and in His Excellency's prosenco au enormous cedar log was raised from tho river, swung round and placed upon tho truck, aud run into tho mill, all iu a very fow minutes. From tho wharf tho visitors proceoded to tho furnaces, whioh woro in full work, whoro Mr. Pottigrow pointod out that tho fuol used consisted of Bawdust, ohipB, and tho rcfuso of tho mill. Tho 50-horso-powor engino driving tho wholo of tho mill-works oxcopt tho frame-saws, was next shown, aftor whioh His Excellency was taken to tho mill floor, whoro tho different descriptions of work oxecuted thero woro proocoding in full swing. Hero tho party saw tho largo log before-montionod lifted from tho truck and placed on tho mill floor by a largo doublo-purchaso crab, only ono man being required in tho transaction. Aftor viowing the ciroular-saws for cutting boards, and tho large framo-suws which wore engaged in sawing a cedar log thirty inchos doop, His Excolloncy noxt examined tho travelling crano used for shifting tho flitches to the benches. Tho next object of intorost inspected was tho largo crosB-cut saw, lately fitted up for tho cross-cutting of folloes and other purposes connected with the band-saw, which itself excitod surprise on account of its thinness, and tho heavy work it performod. Tho saw sharpening hy machino and hand having been looked at, tho party asconded by tho mill stairs to tho Bocond floor, whore a vory ingenious eora mill for cracking, grinding, and drossing maize attracted considorablo attention. Tho trooimil machino, tho turnery, and tho moulding machino wero then inspootod with interost, when tho planing machine for chamfering boards for the outside of houBos was ex- amined, but tho awful din soon caused the porty to be very glad to get away from it. Mr. Pettigrow next conduoted his visitors to whero the different descriptions of iron-working machinery were at work. Thero woro tliroo turning-lathes, two solf-acting and one hand- worked, togethor with tho screw-outting machine. But what attraotod most attention was a very noat and ingenious machine?de- servedly named " Tho univorsol shaping machino" ? for planing iron, slotting, and various similar operations j a vertical drill machine, for boring bolos in iron; and a punching machine for doing similar work on thin iron platos, wero next oxplained by Mr. Pottigrow, whon tho party loft tho iron-working portion of tho establish- ment and ascended by nnothor stair to tho carpenter's shops, whore tho mon wero all busily engaged in thoir various carpontary operations. Hero Mr. Pottigrow explained tho working of a squaring machine for tuking tho winding out of timbor. To do this tho timber is fastonod to tho top of a travelling bondi, and passes under rovolving cuttors, which make it fuir in tho disc. Thon, by turning tho piccos ovor, and slightly lowering tho disc, when tho timbor is put through a second timo it is mndo of perfect oquality in thickness. Tho examination of a small vortical drill for boring wood, a mortising machino, a tenoning machine, a machino for making exe handles, and the process of grooving, comploted His Excellency's inspection of the establishment, and tho party descended into tho mill yard. His Excolloncy was thon shown into Mr. Pottigrow's office, whoro ho oxaminod with much interest tho vory ingenious railway modols, including bridgo and viaduct models, latoly oxbibited by the de- signer at the last meeting of tho Queensland Philosophical Socioty.
On tho Governor's doparturo tho mill was stopped, and tho workmon saluted bira with three hearty cheers. His Excellency replied, expressing his thanks, and tho high gratification ho hod experienced by his visit to tho Brisbano
Saw Mills.