Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

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

McGregor, John and Co

McGregor, John and Co. (John McGregor and Thomas M. Gillies), Engineers, Iron, Steel (Malleable Cast), and Brass Founders, Otago Foundry, Stuart Street, Dunedin. Telephone, 831. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. Private residences: Mr. John McGregor, Royal Terrace; Mr. T. M. Gillies, 44 Canongate Street. The Otago Foundry was established in the late sixties by Mr. William Wilson, who was succeeded by Messrs Davidson and Conyers; and the present proprietors acquired the works in 1894. The plant includes lathes, rolls for plate bending, punching, shearing, and screwing machines, pattern making appliances, a horizontal 12-horse-power steam engine, and a Cornish tubular boiler. The Otago Foundry produces dredge steamers, mining plant of all kinds, water motors, steam engines, dairy and rabbit factory plants, milling machinery, and various other types. This is a diversified list, some of the items in which are likely to astonish the general public, who little imagine that engineering work so complicated and large can be undertaken in New Zealand. But the partners are experienced engineers, who have proved their capability in many ways. The firm makes machinery for mills of all kinds, and constructed three of the largest elevators ever erected in the colony, to the order of Mr. F. W. Payne, consulting engineer; and it has also constructed the complete dredging plant of the Nelson Harbour Board. Considerable work is done in factory plant construction, and the firm has fitted up a number of the dairying factories in the southern district, and also rabbit factories for the New Zealand Co-operative Company. Messrs McGregor and Co. equipped the Dunback Rabbit Canning Factory, making the combination dies and also the crimping machinery for canning; and the boiling down and concentrating machinery, etc., for Messrs A. and J. Macfarlane. The firm also fitted up the whole of the Croydon works, and the works at Gap Road, Winton, and several creameries. Engines and various other engineering works are manufactured with the utmost success, and during the past few years, the firm's name has rapidly risen in eminence. The main building is of one storey, with a brick front, galvanised iron sides, and a glazed roof; the offices and pattern-makers' shop are situated in the brick portion of the building.