83 Alfred Street

Henderson’s Federal Spring Works

Manuf acturers of Springs of Every – – – -Description

w names are better known among manufacturing enterprises of Mel-ne than that of Mr James Kerr “ierson, manufacturer of all classes

-wrings, whose new location is in Al-: street, off Boundary road, next to railway line, North Melbourne, and “v depot at No. 483 Elizabeth street, <b–l bourne. M r Henderson came to Victoria in A – and established himself in the trade O'ollingwood. He proceeded from there New Zealand as springmaker to the N' :vv Zealand Government, and there stained the rank of head springmaker, ' position which he resigned in order to v cept an engagement with the New outh Wales Government. Prior to his departure from New Zealand, he had taken a first prize at the exhibition, and had been engaged in a large number of extensive Govern-

ment contracts. Mr Henderson subsequently re-established himself in business in Punt road, South Yarra, where he continued for two years, eventually selling out to Messrs John Perry7, whose manager he remained for two years. Ho then engaged once more in manufacturing on his own account, and opened a business at 42-46 a’Beckett street, in August, 1896. Later, larger premises were opened at 49-51 Victoria street, where the business has been conducted for the past seven years. In the manufacture of cart, waggon and lorry springs, spiral, volute and motor-car springs, and coachbuilders” ironwork. Mr Henderson devoted himself to the industry in a thorough and wholehearted manner, employing in recent years a staff of upwards of sixty hands, and making springs from the smallest to the largest size. He is the contractor

to the various governments of the Commonwealth, and does all of the heaviest springs required for locomotives as well as other rolling stock. All

of the springs for the new Tait railway cars were turned out in this factory7. The springs of this manufacturer are subject to a very severe test. In the ease of a carriage or buggy7 spring, for example, it is laid on a flat steel table horizontally, with the bow of the spring towards a steam piston, which, when the spring is in its place, shoots out with such force as to turn the spring completely inside out. When this piston has been released the spring returns to its normal condition. This operation is gone through three or four times, and should there be any weak point, or flaw, or faulty leaf, it will very soon reveal itself. This test is excessive, for no spring under any circumstances could be subjected to such a severe strain while in actual use. The new premises, a picture of which

is hero shown, stands in an area of two acres. It is replete with the latest machinery7 in the springmaking industry7. A suction gas plant is the generating power, and an air compressor supplants steam for power purposes in the testing machinery7. Pneumatic hammers operated by7 compressed air are also a feature, as well as nibbing and cutting machinery7 of the greatest capacity7. Mr Henderson has also acquired and installed the machinery formerly owned by Mr John Perry, for whom he worked as manager in y7ears gone by. The enlarged premises and the augmented machinery will enable Mr Henderson to compete with the imported article, his object being to produce locally manufactured springs Of a better quality and at a lower price than those brought from foreign shores.

NEW LOCATION OF HENDERSON’S FEDERAL SPRING WORKS, NORTH MELBOURNE.

LOCOMOTIVE SPRINGS FOR THIS VICTORIAN RAILWAYS.