OUR LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 82, 4 September 1869, Page 3

OUR LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

A newspaper in the discharge of its •duty to the district which it represents, ■cannot possibly over estimate the value of works of a reproductive character in the district, or give too much encouragement, to what are termed local industries. Actuated by this feeling, we availed ourselves of an opportunity the other day of visiting the new premises of Messrs. Bastings and Kofoed at "Wetherstones. It is known to the most of our readers that, some six months ago, this enterprising firm commenced business as brewers in the premises at one time occupied by Mr. Coverlid, and that their career from the start has been one of unbroken success ; so much so that they found it necessary to erect - more extensive works to supply the increasing demand for their excellent brew. Keeping in mind the immense disadvantages they have laboured under for want of proper accommodation, and the defects in the appliances hitherto at their service, it is surprising how they have managed to supply to the public an article at once so marketable and generally appreciated. The new brewery, from the "Wetherstones road, has all the outward appearance of a work of considerable magnitude, and a visit to it will convince the curious that it is designed after the most modern plans, and supplied with a plant, not only the best that could be obtained in Melbourne, but amply suited to the wants of the district. The building is constructed of brick and stone, some 80 feet by 30. The ground floor is appropriated to ccl 7 (age, and is capable of holding 15 * ihds. arranged on a wooden framework in three rows, extending the whole length of the building. This cellar is fitted with small windows which can be opened And closed at pleasure, and the temperature thus regulated- By ascending a few steps at the far end of the cellar, we are brought to the second floor on which afe the bottling, Toomj the fermenting room, the cooling room, and the store room for malt. The fermenting and cooling rooms have each large windows fitted on the Venetian blind principle ; the fermenting tunß are sufficiently large to ferment 10 hhds. at once, The boiler,

an important item in the plant, holds 600 gallons, and will make 11 hhds. in one bre\r. .A-* -fcK© 10-west average ■blue proprietors estimate that they -will be able to turn out 50 hhds. weekly. The water is supplied from a race 150 feet above the brewery, and is carried by pipes all over the building. A large shed for empty casks is about to be erected, and in the course of a few days the whole machinery will be in operation. The proprietors have secured three acres of land adjoining the brewery on which they intend to build a malt-house for the preparation of their own malt. "When this is done a considerable impetus will be given to farming in the neighbourhood, as inducement will be offered for the growth of barley, a ready market being found for it in the district. All local works, whether carried on by private or public enterprise, and which are calculated ho develop© an<l utilise the resources of a district, are deserving the hearty encouragement of one and all, more especially when the produce of those works carries its own recommendation, as in the case of the Black Horse beer. We augur a prosperous future for the energetic proprietors of this brewery. Mr. Kofoed has established himself as a brewer, and Mr. Bastings' business qualities are so well known, that any laudation on our part is quite unnecessary. We imagine that these two qualities combined in a business of the kind, are a sure guarantee of success. A word of praise is due to the contractors, Mr. Whittit for the brick and stone work, and Mr. Aimers for the carpenter work. They have finished a large contract in a masterly manner.