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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Murdoch, C. P. And Sons

Murdoch, C. P. And Sons (C. P. Murdoch, Charles Murdoch, Leslie Murdoch, David Murdoch, and William Murdoch), Woodware Manufacturers, Customs Street West, Auckland. This firm, which was founded by Mr. C. P. Murdoch in 1894, manufactures all classes of wheel wright's material, turnery of all descriptions, and supplies hardwoods suitable for the work of wheelwrights and coach builders. Large quantities of iron, blue, and spotted gums, and other hardwoods, and about 30,000 spoke blocks in the rough, are stored in the factory to undergo the process of seasoning. The premises are plain and unpretentious externally, but inside they are supplied with the finest and most perfect machinery procurable from America. The manufacture of spokes and hubs is a specialty with the firm. About one minute is occupied in the formation of a spoke, from the time it is taken in hand in the rough piece of unshaped wood, until it is turned out in its perfect state, ready for the coachbuilder, although it has to go through five different processes in five separate machines. After the wood is cut to the required length, it is carried to an automatically worked machine, which in a few seconds, through the deftness of the operator, shapes it into a completed spoke. This machine will shape absolutely square, round, oval, and flat; in fact, into any shape required, at the will of the workman, and any size of spoke, from the smallest to the largest, can be manufactured with equal facility. It is then tennoned, heated, and sandpapered, when it is ready for the market. The arm has a copying lathe, for making all classes of handles, swingle-bars, and gunstocks, and other irregular work. All classes of the firm's goods are in demand all over New Zealand, and are recognised as being of the highest class of workmanship. Twelve men are employed in connection with the firm's workshops.