Hi Iain
 
A very quickie reply.  I understand there are two Hoffman kilns still extant
in N.Z.- a circular one at Ashburton (it closed in 1978- I think it is still
standing) and another at Palmerston North described in "N.Z's Industrial
Heritage" as "the best example still to be seen in this country", because of
its condition & workmanship.  I'll be out of town tomorrow but I'll make
inquiries throught the NZHPT and get some further info, dates etc as soon as
I can.
 
In haste  Regards   Neville
 
At 16:13 7/04/97 +1000, you wrote:
>Mail*Link(r) SMTP               Hoffman kilns
>
>Aparently the Victorian State Governement is about to approve thew demolition
>of two c1890's Hoffman kilns (the kilns are to Hoffman's 1870 pattent and are
>oval in shape). The site the former Hoffman Brick and Pottery site was
>researched by me and is published in Industrial Archaeology Review and
>Australian Historical Archaeology.
>
>I have been asked by some concerned individuals how many 1890's Hoffman kilns
>still survive in Victoria, Australia, South of the Equator and in the world.
>My guess is that there are none apart from these two of that era in Australia,
>none in New Zealand (actually I am guessing this) and I would be interested to
>hear of examples of Hoffman kilns from around the world particularlly those
>from the 1890's or earlier. As histarch has lots of members from around the
>globe I hope I will recieve some interesting answers which I will post in a
>few weeks.
>
>Iain Stuart
>University of Sydney
>
>