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THE UMGOLA WEAVING FACTORY.

R. JOHN COMPTON, J.P., during a period covering about six years, has made considerable progress in the work of developing a most promising industry.
His factory at Umgola is devoted to the weaving of Linen drills and damasks. Twenty years ago Mr. Thomas Wynne founded the enterprise. Mr. Compton, immediately after purchasing, began to remodel, enlarge and improve, until he
secured more than double the original capacity. The buildings, which are of brick and stone, are more extensive than the illustration indicates. They now contain 200 perfected power looms, and the other necessary machinery and equipments, including a steam engine capable of driving up to 120 horse. Yarns are procured from the principal Irish mills, from Dundee, Scotland, and some from Lille, France. The manufactured goods are sold in Belfast, Manchester, London and Northampton.
In addition to the other substantial improvements effected since Mr. Compton 's accession, it may be mentioned that he has had twenty houses erected for workers. About 200 people are employed. Of this number the greater part live in Armagh, and some with their parents who are small farmers of the neighbourhood. The Market Square of Armagh is less than an English mile distant from the factory, and the railway station is within a mile and a quarter.
Umgola takes a front rank with the many charming places in the immediate vicinity of Armagh. Mr. Compton 's factory and premises occupy between nine and ten acres of the Callan valley, close to the Caledon Road. They are almost surrounded by hills. Half a mile further west the site of the palaces of the Kings of Ulster comes prominently into view.