Interior Views, A. & T. Burt's Foundry, Dunedin.

Progress, Volume II, Issue I, 1 November 1906, Page 10

Interior Views, A. &T. Burts Foundry, Dunedin.

The last place visited is the lead and compound gas-pipe manufacturing shop. The machine used for this purpose is driven by special hydraulic engines, and all sizes of lead pipes for plumbers' and ships' use, together with composition gas I pipes are made. As there are a number of organ builders in the colony the firm took up, some time ago, the manufacture of special organ composition pipes. The Wellington business of the firm of Messrs. Burt, like that of the head-quarters in Dunedm, progresses very rapidly — so rapidly that it was found necessary some time ago to transfer the Wellington branch into new and more extensive premises. This is a suitable building, of two stories in the front portion, with a frontage of 72 feet to Courtenay place by a depth of 42 feet, the depth of the section being 132 feet. The ground floor is devoted to the shop and spacious show-room, and to office accommodation, part of the space having been cut off for a cartway leading to the back of the building, where there is a large store, 80 feet long by 26 feet wide, supplied with a travelling crane, and used for the storing of pipes and heavy goods. The first floor is laid out as one large room, divided for the storing of the firm's extensive and varied stock. The new building, of which Mr. Wm. Turnbull was the architect, is so constructed that the foundations will be able to carry a third story, should this be added at some future time. The front is surmounted by a lettered grille bearing the name of the firm, and running the whole length of the parapet ; the letters, which are on a large and striking scale, are in wire netting, this material having been chosen because of the reduced wind resistance It is a far cry from Messrs. Burts first office in Wellington to the large and spacious building which is now occupied in Courtenay place, for the first office was a diminutive gabled structure near the Theatre Royal, apparently of one room. In this modest way the Wellington branch was established in 1895 by the late Mr. Simpkins. Later on the shop in Manners street was opened, but with the steady growth of the business, co-incidently with the prosperity of Wellington, this place was soon found to be too small, and hence the firm has built the new premises in Courtenay place ; and under the direction of Mr. Robt. Johnson, the Wellington manager, the business is increasing very rapidly The Christchurch branch of the firm is situated at 211 Tuam street, and is under the managership of Mr. J. Corbett. Here the firm stocks a general assortment of the commodities held at the larger warehouses, for prompt delivery m and around Christchurch. Invercargill branch is situated in Tay street, and is under the charge of Mr. S. G. Remington. A large show room was opened some little time ago, and here the firm's numerous customers can be shown samples of the various lines manufactured and stocked. The firm also has a Marine branch established at Port Chalmers under the charge of Mr. W. T. Ross. Here all classes of ship work and repairs are undertaken. A full coppersmith's plant and several lathes are in readiness for the completion of any urgent orders.