The Crystal Springs Mineral Water Works.

Fair Play, Volume I, Issue 19, 10 March 1894, Page 9

The Crystal Springs Mineral Water Works.

We publish above the portrait of Mr. A. M. Lewis, of the firm of Thompson and Lewis, Aerated Water Manufacturers, of Lome street, Wellington. Mr. Lewis, who is a thoroughly practical man, was born in England, and served his time in London. He came lo the colonies in 18S0 with the idea of bettering himself, and on his arrival in Auckland accepted employment with a bottling firm there, with which he remained for some little time. At that time Messrs. Strike and Fairlie were engaged in the business of the manufacture of soda water r.nd cordials in Wellington, and at their solicitation Mr. Lewis entered their employ. Shortly after coming to them they bought a business in Nelson, and he event there to take the management of it. He remained there for about two years, and then resigned his position to go to Dunedin and embark in business on his own account. In Dunedin he first met Mr. Thompson, of Thompson and Co., who afterwards became his partner in the Wellington branch. During his stay in Dunedin the firm of Strike and Fairlie, which had been floated as a company, went into liquidation, and he was sent for to take command of the business in place of Mr. Strike. He accepted the offer on behalf of the bank, and shortly after his arrival made a proposition to take over the whole business in partnership with Mr. Thompson, of Dunedin. The proposal was successful, and since then the manufacturing of cordials, soda water, &c., has been carried on by the firm of Thompson and Lewis, but has been actually under the personal control and supervision of the subject of our sketch. With a . view of learning something of the manner in which this industry is carried on, a representative of ‘ Fair Play ’ called on Mr. Lewis one day this week at the manufactory in Lome Street. Our representative was courteously received, and invited to inspect the premises. He was first shown the store rooms where the cases of aerated water, soda, and cordials were stored previous to shipping, and afterwards taken through the manufacturing department. Messrs Thompson and Lewis not only manufacture soda water, but prepare cordials and also what is

probably the best specimen of Champagne cider that is vended in the colonies. The soda water itself is prepared from water that has been carefully purified by a process, the particulars of which are a secret; it is then impregnated with oarbonio acid gas by mechanical means. The reporter followed the process from its initiation to the finish, when, by means of an improved machine specially introduced by the firm, the liquid was bottled and packed up for sale. To describe the proooss in detail would take up more space than wo enn afford, but suffioe it to say that every care has been taken to produce an articlo that will meet the public approval. Messrs Thompson and Lewis who, by the way, have been for some tirno contractors to the Union Steamship Company and the 'Wellington Hospital, do not confine themselves to the manufacture of soda water and lemonade, but manufacture all sorts of cordials. Going over the premises of cho firm, one thing is particularly noticeable, namely, the absoluto cleanllnoss with which everything is conducted. Even in the stables, which aro at somo distance from the manufacturing department, everything Booms neat and cleanly. It is difficult to got really good cordials .and soda water in the colonies, and it is pleasing to note that at least one firm is doing its best to supply the public with the host that can be given to them for a fair remuneration.

So Sir G. Grey has decided to at last act on his long-promised intention of taking a trip “ Homo.” Ho goes by tho s.s. Gothic. We said when Sir George was elected that it was really moroly a compliment to his former groatnoss in placing him at tho head of the poll, as he had passed the ago of active service. With health impaired and at an ago that necessarily precludes active political work, his return to the House of Representatives was merely an expression of gratitude from tho people of Now Zealand for what ho had done in tho past. It was stated immediately after his election that ho would scarcoly be ablo to bear the strain of a Parliamentary session, and that lio would, in all probability, seldom bo scon in tho llouso. His decision to sail by the Gothic is certainly a wise one, as the long sea trip may do him good, and, to a certain extent, rovivo his decaying energies. We wish tho great Fro. Consul bon voyage and trusc that on his return wo may bo ablo to onco more hear his voice upraised in the councils of the colony.

We clip tho following from tho Wanganui Herald , of February 28th: —“ Mr. Fanshaw, an English barrister, was sent out from Scotland a few months ago to report on tho working of Prohibition in the United States; ho reports that teototalism is more common in America than in Great Britian. Prohibition was in force in «even states, Maine, Now Hampshire, Vermout, lowa, Kansas, North and South Dakotah. In Massachusetts and Rhode Island it was also adopted, but after trial it failed and was abandonod for licensing. It has also been abandoned by Michigan. Tho conclusion to bo drawn from this is that in thinly populated country districts where tho forces of civilisation are at low pressure, a Prohibition law can bo brought into force with some chance of success, but not in large towns or thickly populated districts. The states above named, where the law is still in force, are thinly populated, while on the contrary Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Michigan are thickly peopled. Thus from these facts it would appear the future prospects of Prohibition cannot be considered as bright, especially where the tendency of the population is to crowd into towns.