Burt, A. And T., Ltd. (Alexander Burt, managing director), Machinists, Engineers, Iron and Brass Founders, Coppersmiths, etc., the Otago Lead, Copper, Brass, and Engineering Works, Cumberland Street, Dunedin. Warehouse and offices, corner of Stuart and Cumberland Streets. Telephones, 3, 10, and 7. P.O Box, 15. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Cable address, “Burt, Dunedin.” Codes, A.B.C. and A.I. Branches, Wellington and Christchurch. Marine Brach, Port Chalmers. Residence of managing director, York Place. This well-known and old established firm was originally started in a small and unpretentious fashion by the present managing director, with the assistance of the late Mr. Thomas Burt, who died in 1884. The small premises in which the brothers commenced operations in the Octagon in 1862, as plumbers and gasfitters, were indeed petty in comparison with the firm's present establishment. Fortunately for Messrs. A. and T. Burt, there was, owing to the Otago gold discoveries, a vast influx of population about the time of the establishment of their first shop, and the impetus given to the building trade was such that they speedily found their premises far too small. From time to time the building was enlarged till the entire site was fully covered, and yet the business developed at a still more rapid rate, so that within four years it became imperative to find more space to accommodate the ever increasing plant, and to afford reasonable room for the additional workmen. A large section having been secured in Princes Street, the firm erected new buildings, consisting of warehouse and workshops, and of these they took possession in 1866. Six years later Messrs. Burt found these buildings also too small, and, as the value of land had enormously increased in the centre of the city, they purchased land in Cumberland Street, where a new factory was erected, and is still a hive of industry, which it is an inspiration to visit. The building occupied for the various departments of the company's operations stands on an area of one acre and a half in extent. The large, three storey page 322 brick building, known as “the works,” affords a flooring space on each flat of about 10,000 square feet, and is well lighted and ventilated throughout. The ground floor is devoted to the engineering and blacksmithing departments, which contain numerous machines, including large screw cutting lathes, an immense sliding gap lathe for turning pulleys up to twenty feet in diameter, planing, slotting, shaping, and screwing machines, besides many others which cannot here be enumerated. In the smith's shop are to be found six forges, a big steam hammer, cutting and punching machinery, and a plate furnace and bending table, as well as all modern tools and appliances for conducting a large business. The iron moulding shop, which is divided into two parts—for heavy and light work—and is situated behind the main building, covers about a quarter of an acre of land. A huge travelling crane, capable of lifting and transporting ten tons of metal to any part of the shop, is a feature of this part of the works. Centrally situated is a watertight pit, sixteen feet deep, which is used for casting large hydraulic cylinders. In connection with the moulding department there are three cupolas, which are equal to melting many tons of metal at one time; in fact, the whole of the appliances in this department are on such an extensive scale that a single casting weighing ten tons could be moulded and finished. Adjoining the iron moulding and casting shop is the brass foundry, which has a floor of brick and concrete, in order to prevent any metal that may fall from being lost. As elsewhere in Messrs. A. and T. Burt's premises, everything that is needed to facilitate the work is provided; eight furnaces for smelting purposes are ranged along the back wall of the building, while a large air furnace, connecting with a tall chimney, is used for casting up to three tons in weight. Behind the engineering department is situated the coppersmith's shop. This is a large building, containing two plumbing hammers, a large tilt hammer, three blast brazing furnaces, and two atmospheric gas forges. In the boiler house there is a forty horse power boiler, which ventilates into a huge chimney stack, carried up high enough for the smoke to clear the buildings. Six steam engines, situated in different parts of these extensive works—probably the most extensive in the Colony—, are supplied with steam from this fine boiler. On the first floor of the main building there is a workman's store, adjoining which is the dressing shop; here the brass castings are dressed, cleaned, and weighed, preparatory to being finished. The finishing shop, which occupies the second floor, contains a splendid set of machines, all fitted up with the most modern improvements. Over thirty lathes, besides numbers of emery and polishing machines, a cock boring machine, and an ingenious milling machine, are found at work in this part of the establishment. The pattern shop occupies the whole top flat of the main building; and there welllighted benches extend along the front windows, and all available labour saving appliances are in constant use. With the object of preserving all patterns, which now aggregate many thousands, a pattern store has been erected; all patterns are numbered and registered so as to facilitate business. The boiler and fluming pipe shop, which was originally located in part of the works, has been removed to a site behind the warehouse. This roomy building contains punching, rolling, rivetting, and all other needful apparatus for carrying on such an extensive department. Adjoining this is the plumbing shop, which is replete with a fully equipped plant, capable of turning out vast quantities of lead work of every description. The warehouse showrooms and offices of Messrs. A. and T. Burt, at the corner of Cumberland and Stuart Streets, comprise a three storey brick building of large dimensions. A large stock of goods of the firm's own manufacture, as well as imported articles, is stored on the ground floor, which accommodates also the company's offices. The first floor—used as a showroom—contains samples of brass and copper goods, all kinds of sanitary appliances, and household fittings of divers descriptions, while the top floor contains original packages, a hydraulic lift being utilised for the purpose of communication. Two large stores adjoining the warehouse contain heavy materials in bulk, including pig and sheet metals and pipes. It is quite impossible to convey an adequate impression of the variety of work executed by this well-known firm—which was incorporated as a limited company in April, 1897, for family reasons—but a few of the lines may be briefly noted. In gas fittings, Messrs. A. and T. Burt contracted for the lighting by gas of the Exhibition Building of 1865—now the Dunedin Hospital building. They have since supplied and erected the entire plants for the Masterton and Westport gasworks, and have enlarged the Dunedin and Port Chalmers works. When the water supply was inaugurated in Dunedin, they laid mains and service pipes throughout the city, and afterwards in South Dunedin, Caversham, Outram, and Reefton, besides constructing plant for extensions at Lyttelton and Wellington. In marine work they have executed large contracts for the Union Steam Ship Company, and other large companies, and have fitted up brewers and distillers' plant in various parts of the colonies. A vast number of water engines have been turned out by the firm and supplied to establishments throughout New Zealand, besides plant in connection with preserving and more recently refrigerating machinery. They have also supplied large quantities of railway castings to the New Zealand Railway Department. Since 1894 the revival of mining has created a demand for hydraulic dredging and elevating machinery, and the company's engineering plant has been largely increased to cope with the work. Numerous dredges have been constructed and erected, at prices ranging from £3000 to £5000 each. Besides all these large matters, Messrs. A. and T. Burt manufacture enormous quantities of household and domestic requirements in brass, copper, lead, zinc, tin, and iron, but these are too numerous to particularise. The managing director believes in New Zealand industries, and the splendid hive of workers under his control—numbering about 300—eloquently testifies to the success' of this large establishment. He has for many years aimed at producing in the Colony such goods as were needed, at prices which would compete with the imported article, and in very many cases his efforts have been crowned with unqualified success. As exhibitors at the local exhibitions of 1865, 1881, and 1890, Messrs. A. and T. Burt were prominent, many prizes and medals falling to their lot; they were, however, more concerned in giving a general impetus to New Zealand industries, and in this desire they have ample reason to believe they have likewise succeeded.

Mr. Alexander Burt was born in Stirlingshire, Scotland, and was brought up to his trade in Glasgow. He came to Melbourne in 1859, and two years later he was at the Gabriel's Gully “rush” in Otago, and settled in Dunedin in 1862. Mr. Burt was for three years a member of the Dunedin City Council, and for a like period occupied a seat on the Harbour Board. He has ever taken a keen interest in technical education, and has been president of the Dunedin Technical Classes Association since its establishment.

Mr. A. Burt.

Farra Bros . (Thomas Porteous Farra, James Fawcett Farra, and Charles Joseph Farra), Tinsmiths and Japanners, 25 Stafford Street, Dunedin. Telephone, 293. Bankers, Union Bank of Australia. Established in 1863 by Mr. Joseph Farra, father of the present proprietors, the business was successfully conducted for many years by the founder as tinsmith, japanner, and colonial oven and spouting manufacturer. In 1885 the present senior partners, who had learned the business under their father's guidance, took over the establishment, the firm continuing under the style of T. and J. Farra till July, 1897, when Mr. Charles Joseph Farra was admitted to the partnership, and the designation altered to that of Farra Bros. The premises, which were built to meet the demands of a rapidly developing trade, were erected by the founder on a freehold section of land, and are now leased to the firm. The shop and showrooms consist of a three storey brick building, affording over 3000 square feet of floor space. The office is situated on the main floor, which otherwise is used as a shop and showroom. The top flat is utilised for carrying on the work of japanning, and also for storing stock, while the cellar contains large quantities of manufactured articles and material. The workshop at the rear of the shop and offices is a single storey building with about 2000 feet of floor space. A full plant, which is up-to-date in every respect, is used in this department, and large quantities of household ware, including ashpans, baths, billies, boxes, etc., are turned out by a staff of experts numbering fifteen. Messrs Farra Bros. manufacture travelling trunks in great variety, the leading brands being known as “Henley,” “Brighton,” “Wanaka,” “Milford.” “Tourist,” and “Union.” Colonial ovens, spouting, and ridging are also manufactured on the premises, and Messrs Farra are well known as manufacturers of first class goods in every line they produce.

Henry, Charles , Electrical Engineer. Gunsmith and Locksmith, 127 Princes Street, Dunedin. This business was established in page 324 1882 by the late Mr. Charles Henry, a well known electrical engineer, who died in Dunedin in 1902, and was succeeded by his son, the present proprietor. The workshop in Princes Street is supplied with the latest and most improved machinery, including a new Henry Milne cutting lathe. A specialty is made of the manufacture of dynamos of from two to five horse-power, for motor cars. Installations of electric light, and fire alarms and thief detectors are undertaken. The late Mr. Henry, who was a practical electrician, had been employed for a number of years in the electrical works of Messrs Siemens Brothers, and followed the profession of electrical engineer for several years in England before coming to Dunedin in 1879. Mr. Henry was a sergeant-major in the Imperial Army, and, after his arrival in the colony, joined the Dunedin Volunteer Engineers Corps, and was awarded the long service medal.

Mr. Charles Henry , the Proprietor, is the eldest son of the founder of the business, and was born in Dunedin. He possesses much of his father's mechanical ability, and has constructed several dynamos, and installed the fine system of fire alarms and thief detectors at the Seacliff Asylum. He has a contract with the Government to keep their safelocks in repair in Otago and Southland. Like his father, Mr. Henry takes a great interest in volunteering and has been a member of the Dunedin Naval Artillery since 1898.

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.

Mr. John Mcgregor , the Senior Partner of the firm, was born in Linlithgowshire, Scotland, in 1859, and came out to New Zealand at an early age, afterwards returning to Glasgow. Mr. McGregor learned his business with Messrs John Elder and Co., at the North British Locomotive Works, Cowlairs. Glasgow, and with Messrs James Russell and Sons, Falkirk. He returned to New Zealand in 1877 in the ship “Wellington,” landing at Port Chalmers, and having qualified as a marine engineer, went to sea for about seven years in the Union Steam Ship Company's intercolonial and coastal vessels, as second engineer. Afterwards for about fourteen years Mr. McGregor was engaged in erecting machinery for several mining companies at Reefton, having charge likewise of reduction and amalgamating works, and was subsequently at Preservation Inlet in a similar capacity. In 1832 Mr McGregor was married to a daughter of Mr. David Nicholson, of Blackburn, and has a family of one son and one daughter.

Mr. Thomas M. Gillies , the Junior Partner of the firm, was born in Glasgow in 1864, and arrived in New Zealand in 1879. Mr. Gillies was educated in Glasgow for civil engineering, and served an apprenticeship with Mr. R. Peter and Messrs Anderson and Morrison, Dunedin; he subsequently became foreman for the last-named firm. In 1898, he joined Mr. McGregor as a partner in the Otago Foundry, under the style of Messrs John McGregor and Co. Mr. Gillies has been treasurer of the Brass Banas' Association of New Zealand, and is a member of the Otago Chess Club and Commercial Travellers' Club. As a Freemason he is a member of Lodge St. Andrew, 432, Scottish Constitution. In 1892, Mr. Gillies was married to a daughter of Mr H. Burgess, of Dunedin, and has a family of two daughters.

Mann, James , Engineer and Blacksmith, Stuart Street, Dunedin. Telephone, 70. Private residence, London Street. This business was established by Mr. Charles Mann in 1864; the present owner subsequently joined the firm, which then assumed the style of Messrs C. Mann and Son. Since the death of the founder in 1870, Mr. James Mann has conducted the business. The building, which is of brick and one storey in height, contains a six horse power horizontal steam engine, a two ton steam hammer, two lathes, two drilling machines, three punching machines, and all other necessary plant for turning out engineers' and builders' iron work.