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Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2540, 24 February 1869
Flax Dressing - An extensive flax works will shortly be started at Leithfield, the buildings being now in course of erection. The machinery will be driven by a 10 horsepower double cylinder engine which will drive six stripping machines. After passing through this operation, it is intended to wash the flax in a drum made to revolve by steam power in a stream of running water. We hope to be able to give a detailed account of this mill as soon as it has commenced work. Another mill will probably commence flax dressing there at an earlv date.Whether this is the same mill, I'm not sure: Evening Post, Volume V, Issue 80, 15 May 1869
On Saturday a youth named Knowles, residing at Leithfield, and employed about the flax-dressing machinery of Messrs. Benn and Walker, accidentally got his arm entangled in the "scraper." It seems he was taking the fibre from the machine when somehow his arm was caught, and a quantity of flesh torn off, besides the elbow being seriously injured. Dr. Morris has hopes that amputation may be avoided, and the little sufferer is doing as well aa can be expected.Star, Issue 584, 4 April 1870
Leithfield.- On Friday, April 1 Messrs Benn and Walker commemorated the anniversary of the openiug of their flax mill by giving a dinner and ball to their workmen. About fifty, amongst whom were a considerable number of juveniles, sat down to dinner, which was provided by Mr Paget, of the Royal Hotel. In the evening the wives and sweethearts of the men were present at the ball, held in Messrs Benn and Walker's flax store. All appeared thoroughly to enjoy this part of the entertainment, and kept it up with spirit until the small hours, the company separating about four o'clock in the morning.
New Zealand's largest flax mill, operated from 1907-1933, powered by 2 Tangye gas engines made in Birmingham, England.
[link]Star, Issue 487, 8 December 1869
Boiling-down and flax-Manufacturing Establishment.
The Timaru paper of Dec. 4 contains the following:
This establishment, erected by Mr Hayhurst of Temuka, is fast approaching completion, and we trust that the enterprise will meet with the success, it deserves. On visiting the works, we were shown through the various departments of the building by the foreman, to whom we are indebted for the following information. The building, erected about half a mile north of Mr Wood's mill near the road side, covers at present 60ft x 45ft, but we believe that additional buildings will be put up as the requirements of the business necessitate. The first portion of the building entered by the visitor is the slaughtering-room, measuring 30ft x 12ft; and immediately behind it is the cutting-up department. At the back of this again are three large vats, measuring about l1ft in depth by 7ft each way. These vats are calculated to hold from 400 to 500 carcases of sheep, and are built of strong timber, and will be lined with lead. Through the vats will pass steam pipes, which will give forth sufficient steam to completely separate the fatty from other particles; the melted tallow will pass through a false bottom in the vats, from which it will be drawn off through apertures left for the purpose. Behind these vats are apartments to be used, we believe, as sleeping rooms for the hands employed, and for store rooms. Above this boiling down part of the establishment is a large storeroom for wool, extending the whole length and width of the building. The flax room, which adjoins the boiling-down establishment on the ground floor, is 30ft x 15ft. At present this is entirely empty, but we understand that the requisite machinery will soon be in position. The power that will work the flaxmill will be an overshot wheel of 34-horse power. The water is brought from a creek for thirty chains, and the embankment for the race is really a heavy piece of work. It is intended to give a fall of water at the wheel of about nine feet, and the embankment measured near the mill 28ft in width at the foot, and 9ft in height. These dimensions are diminished as the place from which the water is drawn is aproached, as there is a good rise in the ground. The boiler for supplying the steam to the vats is already in position, and the operation of boiling-down will be shortly commenced. The whole style in which the works are being carried out reflects great credit on the proprietor, Mr Hayhurst, who seems determined to spare no expense to have everything as complete as possible. As a proof of the completeness of arrangement, we may mention that a blacksmith and cooper are constantly employed on the premises, for Mr Hayhurat intends having all casks required for packing the tallow made on the ground. In connection with the above establishment we may mention that a fellmongery business will be started in close contiguity. We trust these various businesses will answer the expectations of the projector, and be an incentive to others in the district.
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