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QUEENSLAND WOOLLEN

FACTORY.    

I

A FEW FACTS.  

A VISIT TO THE WORKS.

LOSSES AND PROSPECTS.

THE SPIRIT OF INDUSTRY.

The spirit of Industrialism largely possesses Ipswich. When the town at the "head of navi- gation" lost its prestige as the centre of the commercial, social, and intellectual life of Queensland ; when its ambitious desire to be- come the metropolis of the colony faded away before the superior claims of Brisbane ; when the-railway lines passed its doors; when the wool kings abandoned the merry haunts of Tattersall's and built for themselves a great clubhouse in the very courtyard of their strong rival - then it was that Ipswich dropped its gentlemanly garb and donned the clothing of an honest mechanic. At first the garments sat uneasily on the dethroned and disappointed Athenians, but it was not long before they wore them with ease ; and now, in the honest sun- light of Queensland life, the industrial citizens of Ipswich point to their grimy hands, their streaked, blackened faces, and their stained clothes with honourable pride. The reign of wool was succeeded by the dominion of coal, and the bowels of the earth were opened in vigorous fashion for the black diamonds ; then workshops were started, and skilled mechanics manufactured and repaired railway rolling-stock, and an industrial taste having been aroused various small industrial establishments found an abiding-place in spots previously given over to the camping ground of patient working bullocks. Ere the last finishing touches were given to the Indooroopilly Bridge, the only link which was necessary to the complete surrender of Ipswich dominancy, for the line to Brisbane would then be finished, and while Ipswich was in the first flush of her industrial enthusiasm, a few far-seeing men determined to plant on the banks of the Bremer River a manufactory which would afford employment to scores of people and which would stamp the town with a distinctive and enterprising character. During the latter end of 1875 meetings were held, and

the idea of

STARTING A WOOLLEN FACTORY

in Ipswich met with much acceptance. The necessary capital was soon subscribed, and on the l6th October, 1877, the Queensland Woollen Manufacturing Company's mill-then a series of unprepossessing sheds-was formally opened by Sir Arthur Kennedy, when brilliant after- dinner speeches were made, and wishes for the   future success and prosperity of the company were washed down with champagne. At the time there were only twelve looms in position, and ten of them were working tweeds and shawl stuffs. For many years operations were conducted on a small scale, and sales were con- find to wholesale dealings. Employment was given to about forty-five hands, principally women and boys. In 1884 it was determined to open retail shops for the sale of ready-made goods, and accordingly two retail establishments were started, one in Ipswich and one in Bris- bane. In 1885 a farther branch was opened at Toowoomba, and a clothing faotory was added to the mill. Business increased rapidly for some years, and improved machinery was added from time to time. The capital of the company was increased from £11,000 to £25,000, and the company being unable to supply demands, the directors determined to erect new and extensive premises, including a worsted faotory. This determination was carried into effect in 1889, at a total cost, including necessary extra stock of material, &c, of about £40,000. It was a plucky, if not a somewhat hazardous, step to take but the then flourishing condition of the colony warranted the extension and the expenditure. Unfortu- nately the commercial pulse of the colony began to beat feebly, and there was a decided shrinkage of trade - a shrinkage which has become acute, and the contracting limit of which unfortunately is not yet reached. The anticipations of the directors were not realised, and in 1892, when over 400 hands were em- ployed, it was found necessary to reduce and economise in all branches. In the early part of this year the mill was twice flood-swept, and the loss from that cause is estimated at fully £7000. At present over 250 hands are employed at the mills, and owing to the securing of several good contracts this number is likely to be shortly increased. If the mills were worked at their full capacity employment would be

found for 700 hands.

THE MILL AND ITS CONTENTS.

There is an impression in many parts of Queensland that the Ipswich woollen mills are, to put it in a colloquialism, very "small beer." Probably not a few persons will be surprised to learn the extent of their possessions and the ramifications of their yearly enlarging business. The mills are placed on an arm of the Ipswich river, on a block of land 8 1/2 acres in extent, and the buildings are substantial and somewhat pretentious. The main structure is of brick, with iron and glass roof, and the con- crete floor occupies over an acre of ground. Attached to the principal building are the wool stores, offices, willowing or blending room, engine-house, large dyehouse, manager's house, engineer's house, and other stores, the whole valued at over £12,000.

The inside of the building is literally crowded with a bewildering mass of machinery. There are thirty broad looms on the main floor, one wool-scouring machine, two willowing machines for opening the wool, one burr extractor, one dust shaker, four sets of carding machines with automatic feeds, seven pairs of self-acting spinning mules, two warping, one beaming, two winding and one twisting machine, two centrifu- gals or hydro-extractors, two scouring and two milling machines, a crabbing machine for finishing worsted, two brushing or raising mills for raising face on cloth, a damping and steaming machine, four cutting machines, two hydraulic presses and steam ovens, one tentering machine, a very large and expensive one used for drying and tentering the finished cloths. In the worsted fac- tory there are three sets of carding machines, one back-washing machine, two patent combs, a number of roving and drawing machines for preparing tho combed yarn, four spinning, two twisting, and two winding frames, one hiddle machine, a lathe, and many small sundries. The dyehouse containse three large indigo, three large wool, and one colour vat, three worsted dyeing tanks, two washing-off tanks, &c. The driving power is constituted by two horizontal engines about 65-horse power, two multitubular boilers, and two Cornish boilers. The total value of the machinery is given at £30,000.

BRANCHES  

The company has retail branches at Bris- bane-street, Ipswich ; Queen-street, Brisbane ; East-street, Rockhampton ; Ruthven-street, Toowoomba; and Mosman-street, Charters

Towers.

OUTPUT AND WAGES.

During last year the output from the mills totalled 140,000 yards of tweed, besides several thousands of superfine blankets, and this amount, large as it is, could very easily be nearly doubled.

No less than £11,500 was paid away during 1892 in wages to the employees in the fac- tories; over £3000 in clerical wages and managerial salaries ; and for rent and rates the large sum of £1400.

CAPITAL, DIVIDENDS, AND OFFICERS.

The authorised capital of the company is £100,000, of which £75,000 has been issued and paid up to £40,000. There are about 800 shareholders, the majority of whom are resi- dents of Brisbane, Ipswich, and Toowoomba. The number of shares held by absentees is comparatively small.

Regular dividends have been paid since 1885, and nearly £17,000 has thus found its way into the pockets of shareholders, or a return of over 70 per cent upon capital invested.

The directors of the company are five in

number:-Chairman, Mr. A. J. Stephenson, and Messrs. J. Foote, John Macfarlane, M.L.A., and Peter Thomson. Owing to the recent death of Mr. S. Shenton, there is at present a vacancy on the board. All the directors are residents of Ipswich and district.

Following are the names of the officers of the company:-Managing secretary and general manager, Mr. J. Gore; woollen mill manager, Mr. R. Battye ; worsted department manager, Mr. A. A. Ambler ; clothing depart- ment manager, Mr. W. T. Toxwell ; in charge at Rockhampton, Mr. A. Macfarlane ; Too- woomba, Mr. W. Macaulay; Charters Towers, Mr. J. H. V. Cooten.

THE COMPANY'S PROSPECTS.

It will thus be seen from the hard facts given above that the Queensland Woollen Manufac- turing Company's mill is one of the largest manufacturing concerns in this colony. For fourteen years its progress was marked and steady, and fluctuations in its operations only commenced when the commercial equilibrium of the colony was disturbed from extraordinary causes. It is probable that in 1889-90, when a large expenditure was incurred, the directors were unduly optimistic in their outlook of the future, but if they sinned in this respect the sin was at that time most prevalent, for nearly every company in this colony is presently suffering because of the over-confidence dis- played during the years of plenty. That the lavish expenditure of the past has for the present hampered the transactions of the Woollen Company and restricted its ambition, goes without saying, and in the present state of trade the necessary capital required to relieve it of embarrassment is not forthcoming. But the management have so far been equal to the occasion, and they are now sedulously practis- ing a policy of economy combined with careful, steady, and thrifty work. Of course had such disturbed times as at present exist been antici- pated the 1889 outlay would not have been entered on. The floods of this year were also a sad stinging blow to the company. In January last the prospects of the company were unusually bright, and the operations for the month were of a particularly encouraging character, the output exceed- ing that of any month of the previous year. But in February the flood-waters twice entered the building, reaching a depth of 10ft., and, of course, covering almost everything. The damage, including cleaning, repairing, &c, will probably reach £7000, and it is dis- tressing to see scores of fine machines lying idle and partly wrecked, to say nothing of hundreds of pounds' worth of valuable material wasted. But there is nothing in all these afflictions to cause any serious alarm, because whatever the company may have lost in material wealth it has gained in experience and in the perfection of the different branches of its manufacturing operations. At the present time the mill is in charge of skilful experts, and the facilities whioh they now possess, and will further possess when the damages caused by the floods are repaired, are such as have never before been at the command of the company. As soon as trade improves suffi- ciently to fully employ the mills the company will not be long in gaining the position occupied previous to 1890.

PROTECTION.

It was believed that the Protectionist policy of 1888 and 1S92 would largely benefit the com- pany, but as far as the management can tell it has not done so. Of course it is difficult to discover to what extent the falling off in the colony's trade is accountable for this. As a matter of fact each increase of duty seems to have had the effect of checking consumption and causing lower-priced goods to be imported. The duty is ad valorem, so the lower the price per yard the less is the duty felt on a suit of clothes. Possibly a specific duty, so much per yard, would remedy this, but it is hard to say.

QUALITY OF GOODS.

In the course of conversation with the manager, Mr. Gore, he remarked :

"l am convinced that want of knowledge of what the company really makes is very wide- spread. I repeatedly get letters from persons who have given an order, expressing surprise at the quality of the goods. They had evidently supposed the company's goods were of very inferior kind, and given us an order from patriotic motives. Now, although we do not claim to equal the best goods made in Europe, our stook contains goods fit for the wear of any person. Similarly, every person visiting the mills, says, ' I had no idea you had such machinery, and made such goods-' "

"Is there no way to stimulate the in- dustry?"

" I am afraid," he replied, " it must be left to push its own way. The plea, 'Patronise me   because I am a local maker,' does not operate continuously. The years 1885 to 1891 proved that much expansion is possible, and with a return of decent trade I am satisfied that great results will again accrue."

" The working expenses appear to be large." " Well, they may appear to be large for the output; but it must be remembered that we do everything, from the scouring of the wool to the making and the finishing of the garment. Thus a bale of wool which sent to England would realise, say, £15 for the colony, less ex- penses, will realise, treated by us, say £100, the difference being represented chiefly by wages."

SEEING IS BELIEVING.

Those who have any doubt as to the magni- tude of the Queensland Woollen Company's mill ; those who desire to witness the beautiful movements of delicate and intricate machinery, or those who are curious enough to learn how cloth is manufactured and how suits are fashioned should visit the mills on the banks of the Bremer River at Ipswich. The visit will prove to be of the utmost interest, and the different processes will come to the mind as a revelation. Inside there is the dash and biz- biz of the looms and the shuttles, and the beautiful soft wool is torn and riven and kinked and knotted and drawn and quartered until it emerges from the mill in the form of elegant tweed, delicate in design and appealing to the touch. It is very fascinating and very bewildering. All the wool used is pur- chased in the colony, but the company and the vendors suffer from the absence of regular wool sales in Brisbane. The wool, dirty, streaked, and hiding burrs and dust in its matted folds, is tumbled into the scourer, where it is clawed and hauled about and pitched forth in white and yellow fragments ; then it goes to the mixing and blending room, where the spiral knives further lacerate it and extract the sinful burrs, when again it is sent to the "devils," where the knots are un- ravelled, and the wool is loosened and further cleansed of impurities. The carding machines, with their cylinders covered with millions upon millions of teeth, seize the cleansed wool and tear it into fragments and weave out of it delicate white mantles which resemble great sheets of hoar frost and snow ropes and fine yarns ; and all this tearing and riving and to all appearance cruel treatment is with the one object that the wool may be clean and perfectly even. And so the process goes on, from the machines to the spindles, to the mules, to the warping and twisting machines, to the milling machine, and to the looms. Then the cloth is woven, and afterwards scoured and washed and shaved, and treated to dozens of processes before it finally leaves the mill in folds of wearable tweeds. In the worsted de- partment the wool is combed just as a lady combs out her hair, and doubled and drawn out half-a-million of times until there are delicate long fibres all parallel with each other. It is a marvellous room, and the lay mind is awed and surprised by the maze of machinery and the wonderful intricacies of the wonderfully intricate machines. Then there are rooms where the wool and the rubbish are separated-the sheep from the goats-where the " noil" is thrown below, and the long fine coils of wool, so white and pure, go above. There are roving machines and card- ing and drawing and spinning and twisting machines, brushing and damp- ing and raising machines; there are great mountains of white wool and wool in all colours; reels upon reels of yarns; huge piles of brown and white blankets, and columns of finished tweeds. Then there is the dye-house to visit, and the bleaching yards, and the engine-house. The mill is altogether a very wonderful place, and the manager says to all

interested, "Come and see."  

And when the mill is exhausted there are   the workshops in Brisbane-street, Ipswich,

where scores of busy hands are busily engaged in cutting, framing, stitching, and finishing

garments for the lords of creation. There are

curious machines for stretching garments, and for ironing them, and for almost instantaneously cutting buttonholes in them. There are scores

of sewing maohines in full swing, and scores of nimble fingers and intelligent minds guiding them. The Queensland Woollen Manufactur- ing Company is undoubtedly a large and pro- gressive concern, and deserves the heartfelt and most cordial support of every patriotic

Queenslander.

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