The Murrumburrah Signal reported on the 2nd of February 1933 that ‘The manufacture of Hume centrifugally spun concrete pipes and other concrete commodities is the latest country industry to be established in New South Wales, the works of the Hume Pipe Co. now having commenced operations at Harden.
‘The company is the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, and apart from its being a Government and Municipal contractor for high-pressure pipelines for town supply, sewage, culverts, drainage etc., it is the pioneer of a great many new uses of concrete for the man on the land, including pre-cast, well-linings, which are a new departure in this class of manufacture in country areas’.
The Commonwealth Jubilee book of 1951 for Murrumburrah-Harden and Demondrille Shire recorded the following information:
The fine quality of the local sand, its abundance and easy accessibility combined with its cleanliness, were important factors considered by the Hume Pipe Company of Australia Limited before establishing a branch of their business in Harden. In addition, very good blue metal of excellent quality, was also available locally in good quantities although, due to the increase in business, supplies have been drawn from Kiama.
River gravel, straw and cheap electric power were the other factors that finally persuaded the company to erect its branch factory in Harden. The lack of plentiful and reasonably cheap water supply was, in the early days of the company’s efforts, rather a severe drawback but, as the linking of Harden with the Southern Tablelands Water Supply was then practically assured, this became only a minor factor.
The other factor requiring consideration was the suitability or otherwise of Harden as a distributing centre of the company’s products. Since it was expected that this branch would serve such centres as Hay, Ivanhoe, Bourke, Nyngan and Walgett, its central position was all that could be desired.
The factory was established in 1932. The firm manufactured reinforced concrete pipes ranging from a diameter of 4 inches to 48 inches, suitable for culverts, irrigation purposes, all hydraulic requirements and sewage services. In addition, such useful articles as sheep and cattle troughs, butcher’s pickling vats, concrete rollers and box culverts as required. By 1937, the factory was employing 12 people.
All raw materials except for cement (obtained from Kandos) and steel wire, are obtained locally. The latter is obtained from BHP or Lysaght’s in the form of annealed wire and the wire is then treated at the company’s city office where it is made into all gauges of steel wire suitable for all reinforcing purposes.
The factory ceased its operations in Harden in 1986. 1974-1834. Humes Limited are doing their bit towards making the town a cleaner one by installing this oil fired boiler to replace the old coal fired unit. 31.10.74.
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