Yesterday wa3 a " ied letter day at Messrs- Chas. Judd and Sons' foundry, the event being the turning out ot one of ; the heaviest piece 3of casting work that has been executed on the Thanieaj goldneld. The work in question was the casting oi a huge oie crusher in one piece, to replace an old broken Baxter's ore crusher at the VVaihi G.M. Co 's plant. A large pit 51t deep and 12ft in diameter, built ot bricks, framed the loom mould, and took some hve weeks to construct. , It may. be mentioned at this juncture chat loom casting is the most; expensive. Into this mould three ladles of melted iron, containing 3^ 2, and 1 tons respectively were emptied, a special contrivance having been erected tor lilting the heavier ot the three and emptying it. Every thing in connection with this most responsible part of the work passed otf without a single hitch. I'he work of casting was supervised by Mr C. Judd, from whom about fifteen employees took their orders, ana executed the work entrusted to them in a very capable and praiseworthy manner. The ore crusher will weigh troni 4£ to 5 tons when dressed, and is expected to be completed and ready for shipment at toe end of next week. It-is Bft 6in in i length by 3fc 6in wide, and sft in height, wnile the metal is from 6 to 10in thick, so that an opinion can be formed of its immense size for one piece of iron. The ore crusher that mis one is. to replace broke out at one end, so Mr J udd has considerably strengthened the , new one in order to contend against the rough usuage that these machines have to undergo, whiie two furnaces were also used on the job of melting the iron, Mr Judd is 10 be complimented upon having undertaken and successfully carried, out such a responsible piece of work.
