OUR INDUSTRIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2436, 21 November 1900, Page 26

OUR INDUSTRIES.

A. AND T. BURT, LIMITED. Among the most successful of Dunedin's numerous industrial firms that of A. and T. Burt, Limited, may be justly accorded premier place. It was, like so many other successful industrial ventures, started on a very modest scale. The original firm, Messrs Alexander and Thomas Burt, commenced business as plumbers and gasfitters in the year 1£62 and carried on operations in the Octagon. The goldfields discovery in the same year, and the natural influx of population soon afforded larger scope for their enterprise, and necessitated their removal to larger premises in Princes street, where additional branches of work were undertakea with the same degree of success, and wnich in time served to further increase their trade. In 1872 business was commenced at the present site of the foundry premises in Cumberland street, and the subsequent additions and improvements include a large and commodious warehouse at the corner of Stuart and Cumberland streets. The firm's manufactures have obtained for them a household name throughout New Zea-, land, and a colonial reputation for which Dunedin is justly proud. In 1c97, taking advantage of the facilities afforded by the Companies' Act, and in common with nearly all large concerns in the old country, the firm became registered as a limited company under the control of Mr Alexander Burt, the members being confined to the family. The works of A and T. Burt, Limited, today present quite a different appearance to that of the old firm of a few years ago, the present establishment affording employment to over 500 hands; in a great measure this can be ascribed to the impetus given by the dredging and general manufacturing industries, the company having added largely to their premises for the purpcse of meeting the demand arising, the present works and warehouse alone occupying over three acres of ground; a large amount of capital has also been expended in the acquiring of new and up-to-date machinery. The demand throughout New eZaland for their brass and copper work also necessitates large additions to these departments, and these are now in course of erection. The now famous Hartley and Riley Beach dredge was manufactured afc these works, and a great many other dredges have been turned out with equal success. In addition to the men employed at Dunedin, large gangs of mechanics are busily engaged at the different dredging claims building the pontoons and erecting the machinery for the dredges manufactured at the company's works. Branches of the business have been established at Wellington, Christchurch, and a marine branch at Port Chalmers. In Wellington the trade has increased so rapidly that having acquired a central site in the busy part of that city, the company are on the eve of the erection of a warehouse sufficient to enable them to extend their operations in the northern provinces — this branch is under the management of Mr W. S. Simkin. It would be a herculean task to attempt a description of the numerous manufactureb turned out at the works ; suffice it to say that the company have been entrusted with the construction of dredges now working with success in far-off Siberia, a Russian syndicate making a mission to Dunedin for the expresb purpose. For Australia also a considerable number of orders for various lines have been executed. The accompanying photographic groups, representing the various employees of A. and T. Burt's establishment, can perhaps convey to our readers some idea of the different departments engaged in operations connected with this company's business.