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1896
24 October 1896
The Mudgee Farmers' Co-operative Patent Roller Steam Flour Mills afford an object lesson in lukewarm co-operation, amongst the shoals of which it became stranded almost at the moment of its birth. Early in 1892 a co-operative company was locally formed to bring the concern into existence, capital £10,000, of which no less a sum than £8000 was promptly subscribed. For a time all went merrily. Land was purchased, designs approved, and building contracts entered into. A plant of the most perfect and costly pattern was straightway ordered from the famous milling engineers, Simon and Company, Manchester, and in due course it arrived in Sydney. Trouble now began. Owing to a difficulty in obtaining girders exasperating delays occurred in the building operations, but these being eventually overcome the machinery was brought along, and the work of fitting entered upon. Then, alas, the engineer's agent did not proceed, and further progress was stayed pending the arrival from Manchester of a special representative to' complete his work. This being done, milling was begun, and continued about three months, some 10,000 bushels being put through. The quality of the flour turned out is said by local bakers to have been the very best it has ever been their privilege to use. By this time heavy engagements came due, and efforts were made to call in the balance of capital (£2000), but disheartened by the vexatious delays, or hampered by the banks, shareholders made no response, and all attempts to collect the money proved futile. The mill was brought to a standstill, forced upon a strangled market, and sold for one-fifth its cost, the purchaser being Mr. Wilton, one of the directors, who, having made large advances to the company, bought the property to save himself. The fine brick building stands on 2½ acres, near to the railway station, a siding running up to the verandah for convenient loading. The dimensions of the main structure are: Ground floor, 30 x 46ft; fourth floor, 31 ft 10in x 47ft 10in. The capacity of the grain store is 20,000 bushels. The machinery, which cost over £6000, is the famous Simon system, and, roughly described, consists of a 40 h.p. (nom.) compound tandem type engine, with condenser, 40 h.p. (nom.), milled steel, 86 tube, ½ in plate boiler, and 14 pairs reduction rolls, 2 reform purifiers, 2 gravity ditto, 4 scalpers, 7 centrifugal grading reels, germ separators, grain cleaners, warehouse separator, scourers, brush machine, flour mixers, flour and bran packers, 15 sets patent boot elevators, bran-duster, &c. The capacity of the mill is twelve sacks per hour, and can be worked by four men. The magnificent property, to which there is a splendid supply of water is now for sale at about one-fourth its first cost, and as the area under wheat crop in this district is estimated at more than double that of last year, and the prospects of a splendid season are particularly good, it should not he many months before the perfect machinery will be moving merrily to the tune of "Jolly Miller." Inquirers should write to Mr. W. Wilton, McDonald's Creek, Mudgee1
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