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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

Gap Road

Gap Road.

The Gap Road Flaxmill (William Cruikshank, proprietor), Gap Road. This mill was erected in 1902, and stands on part of thirty acres of leasehold. There is a full scutching plant, which is driven by a sixteen horse-power steam engine. Twenty-three men are employed, and there is an output of about fourteen tons of dressed flax per month. The raw material is drawn chiefly from Centre Bush.

Mr. Richard Alford , who has been manager of the Gap Road Flax Mill since 1902, was born in 1872, in Lincolnshire, England. He was brought by his parents as a child to South Australia, where he was educated, and after being engaged for some time in gold and silver mining, he went to sea for seven years. Mr Alford came to New Zealand in 1900, and settled at West Plains, where he learned the flaxmilling trade under Mr Cruikshank, before being appointed to his present position. He was married, in 1894, to a daughter of Mr Frederick Spivey, of Victoria, but his wife died in 1898, leaving one son.

Mr. William Nicholson , Engineer at the Gap Road Flax Mill, was born in Stewart Island, in 1872, and was educated at Winton and Limehills. He has been accustomed to the management of machinery from an early age, and was for some time engine-driver at his grandfather's sawmills. Mr Nicholson was afterwards employed at Mr Brown's engineering works at Winton, for four years, before being appointed to his present position in December, 1903.

Gerstenkorn, photo. Mr. W. Nicholson.

Gerstenkorn, photo.
Mr. W. Nicholson.