OUR BREWERIES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 144, 31 August 1881, Page 4

OUR BREWERIES.

(BY OtTB BPRCIAL REPORTER.)

THE NEW BREWERY.

Hearing that Mr. J. McGuire's new brewery,' at the corner of -' High' ! and Cameron streets, was just about'completed, and ready to commence wovk.j I visited the building in order to see for myself whether the building was as good as it bad been described to be; I was not' disappointed. It ib a handsome three-storeyed building, with a ground floor 52 feet by 26 feet, and measuring 25 feet high to the wall-plate, .and 35 feet 6 inches to the ridge. - It is .divided into three flats, the boiler and coolingvat being on tho top storey," the mashtub on tbe. first floor, and the cellar ,ori the -ground. The , foundations of tho building were excavated originally, and the cellar is some 7 to 8 feet below the ground level at the end, and facing High-street. The first floor is thus brought within about 2 feet of the level of the roadway, a raised door-way fronts the street, and drays bringing malt, sugar, or hops, can be unloaded with ease. ' The plant has all been calculated for a ten-hogshead brew, although! at present, the boiler space will not admit of more than a six-hogshead brew. ' A square 400 gallon boiler has been bricked in on the top floor. The brickwork is supported on substantial 8 inch x 8 inch upright framing, and being situated on the top of the building, the expense and risk attached to a tall shaft is avoided. The water ia supplied by a powerful force-pump, which draws water from a well, sunk 24 feet deep, which is 4 feet below the level of an adjoining creek, which flows into the Tawhiti Stream. The springs which supply the well; are strong and the water is of really good quality. One of BentalFs malt crushers, and horse power attached, has been secured, and all the pumping, malt crushing, Ac, will be doneby horse-power. The building is ventilated throughout by Venetian shutters, which are made to open and close in' a simple but efficient manner, with an upright rod fastened to ■each shutter lath, with a couple of staples. A stiff breeze was blowing from the North-west, when I vißited the new brewery, but I could not deteot the least movement in the building, which must be strongly and faithfully biult throughout. It is built entirely of matai, the front, facing High street, being rusticated. The general plan of thebuildingas very commodious, and reflects credit- on the proprietor, who designed and .built the brewery himself. All, the vats, troughs, and other fixings, were made by Mr. O. Scccombe, and they show that the proprietor has been fortunate in securing the services of a thoroughly practical man. We were shown samples of brewer's crystals, malt, and Frisco hops, all of which are believed to be of the best quality procurable, and so far as, an inexperienced eye can judge, they seemed to bear out, the assertion. THr. Seccomb has already made himself a name as a good brewer, and Mr. McGuire intends to give him full oharge over this department. The cellar is both cool and dry, and there is stowage room for nearly 100 hogsheads at a time. The cellarage can be easily extended, if desired, a doorway having been left for the purpose. The site has been certainly well chosen, as there is a fall of 20 feet to tho creek adjoining, and there is sufficient flow of water to carry off all refuse. Hot water, for washing tubs and; casks, can be supplied by a pipe and hose, direct from the boiler, by simply turning on a tap. A road has been formed round to the rear of the premises, so that delivery can be taken from the cellar at the back, without any hoisting or lifting; The premises have cost over £1000, and there can be no doubt that the money has been well and economically expended. The proprietor has been offered, but has declined, an offer at a substantial advance on the capital invested. He has •confidence in his venture, and will start his first brew some day next week. It will probably be a month from that date .before any beer leaves the premises.