LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 221, 3 February 1874, Page 6

LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

THE SWAN BREWERY. OUR RAMBLING- REPORTER.) The other day we had the pleasure of inspecting the extensive alterations and improvements which are being carried out by Messrs Goodger and Kuhtze, on their Swan Brewery. We said alterations and improvements, but we would be almost justified in describing them as the erection of a new brewery. The site of the works, as everybody knows, is at the embouchure of the once famous Hartley’s gully, where the company have secured two acres for the erection of their buildings. The frontage now occupied, part of which takes in the bed of the creek, is one hundred feet. On the north side are situated the buildings, which comprise the cellar, bottling department, business rooms, and the actual brewing department ; while on the south side are the granary, malting floor, and kiln. To give our readers an idea of the extent of the improvements, and as many are under the impression that the premises are on a rather a small scale, we shall describe the various rooms in detail. THE CELLAR is a most commodious one, measuring 50 s 27, and is capable of conveniently storing in bulk more than 20000 gallons of beer, besides a sufficient supply of the various materials which are required in an extensive business. The stock at present is rather low, as the proprietors are only making enough to keep the business going, till their various additions are finally completed. THE BOTTLING ROOM is immediately above the cellar, and is about 26 x 26. Here will be carried on the bottling and labelling branches of the business, and here also extensive racks, specially fitted for the purpose, are provided for the reception, if required, of about 10;000,bottles. In this room it is also ihtefcded, in the course of a

week or two, to erect a machine for the manufacture of lemonade, soda water, and cordials of all descriptions. Ventilation is secured, and the place is kept beautifully cool by an open roof with shingle covering. From the bottling room we pass to the back, and enter the

BREWHOUSE PROPER. In it are situated the copper, the mash-tub, the cooler, and in short all the various appliances whereby beer is manufactured. At the present time, in consequence of the alterations which are being carried on in all directions, the place is a little disorderly to appearance, and it is with some difficulty that a stranger can find his way through without running in the road of something or somebody. Here, also, great improvements are to be made. A new copper, capable of turning out 1000 gallons at a brew, will be erected, and all the latest improvements

which are in use amongst brewers will be introduced. Some of them are already, we understand, on the way from Melbourne. The brewhouse, we may mention by the way, is on a slightly higher level than any of the other rooms, so that a great deal of labour is saved in drawing off the beer into casks after it is manufactured. The size of the present room is about 26 x 24, but it will be made about one-half larger when the new appliances come to hand. The building situated on the south side of the creek next attracts our attention. It is 78 x 24 feet, with the gable fronting the road. The walls, partition, and gables are of stone, and the building is intended to answer the purposes of a maltiug-house, a granary, and a kiln. THE MALTIN'G-HOUSE is 54 x 20 in the clear, and is situated in the lower storey of the building. On its floor will be provided—(it is not yet completed)— accommodation for a “steep,” and for the

malting of a large number of bushels of grain in various stages of development. As an instance of the care which has been taken to ensure perfection in every department of the works, we may mention that Messrs Goodger and Kuhtze have specified the thickness of the floor, before the cement is laid on, to be not less than twelve inches, to consist of well-bedded stone and concrete. THE GRANARY is the room immediately above the maltinghouse, and is also 54 x 20. It communicates with the kiln-floor, and has provision in front for the reception of the grain in its raw state, and for despatching loading. It is capable of stowing about 3000 bushels of malt, or in other words about sixty tons. THE KILN occupies the section of the building behind the nialting-house and the granary. The floor has not yet arrived, and consequently it presents quite an unfinished appearance. Behind, but close to the kiln, it is the intention of Messrs Goodger and Kuhtze to erect a four or five horse-power engine, which will communicate driving power to every department of the works by means of shafts and

~ J ” belts, and greatly facilitate the various operations. The boiler in connection therewith will also be made larger than is actually required, so that there will be at all times an abundance of sfeani and hot water for the washing and steaming of casks, bottles, &c., &c. Behind the site for the engine but, a long way up the creek, cun be seen the source from which the brewery is supplied with water. It is of the highest purity, and is conveyed in pipes under a good pressure to every part of the premises. When the works which Messrs Goodger and Kuhtze deem immediately necessary,—and which we have indicated above,—for the proper carrying on of their business as brewers, are completed, they intend to roof in the space of thirty feet which at present stands between the brewery proper and the maltinghouse and granary, and use it as an open shed for the storage and cleansing of casks, Ac., Ac. A culvert will be carried entirely through the premises, large enough to cany the water of the creek even in case of a storm ; and the very awkward bend to the brewery, will be straightened and improved. The consequence of this latter improvement will be to give carriers ample room in front of the works to load and unload, without interfering the least with the passing traffic. The description we have given above, imperfect as it may be, will convince every one that the spirited proprietors mean not only to do a business, but to do a large one ; and we heartily trust their efforts will be attended with success. With such excellent establishments as we possess at our very doors, and in a neighbouring township, we cannot see why a single gallon of Dunedin manufacture should be allowed to come into the district. Before leaving the works we paid a visit to the offices and sample rooms, which have been provided by Messrs Goodger and Kuhtze for the accommodation of their customers. They adjoin the bottling department, and are very neatly and comfortably titled up. Whether we did any sampling on our own account or j not, is a matter with which the readers of I the Anjns have nothing whatever to do. Any ' one of them can try the experiment for him- | self.