Ballarat Foundry

Also known as Newman Bros. Iron Foundry.

In November 1858 the Messrs. Newman Bros. announced the opening of their iron and brass foundry near the Ballarat Gas Works on Albert Street.

History

Newman Bros.

BALLARAT FOUNDRY,

Near the Gas Works, Ballarat. MESSRS NEWMAN BROS. BEG respectfully to inform Mining Companies, Farmers and others, that they have opened an Iron and Brass Foundry, Near the Ballarat Gas Works, where they purpose carrying on the trade in all its branches. Newman Bros., being practical Engineers and Machinists, and having scoured the best machinery procurable in the colony, are in a position to defy competition; and trust that the quality and price of their work will secure them a fair share of public support. Country orders punctually attended to. N. B. – Ballarat Foundry, near the Ballarat Gas Works.

Farrant, Higgins and Parker

On 20 August 1860 Farrant , Higgins & Parker announced they had taken over the premises of the Union Foundry (John Walker and Co.) - on the corner of Doveton Street & Eyre Street - and intended to continue the business as brass founders, millwrights, agricultural implement makers and engineers.

BALLARAT FOUNDRY, Corner of Doveton and Eyre streets.

– To Miners, Millers, & Farmers. – FARRANT, HIGGINS & PARKER beg to announce that they have taken the premises lately known as the Union Foundry (John Walker and Co.), and intend carrying on business as Iron and Brass Founders, Millwrights, Engineers, and Agricultural Implement Makers, and hope by good workmanship, reasonable terms, with strict punctuality and attention to business, to merit patronage and support. 20th August, 1860.

By October 1860 the business was operating under the title of Farrant & Co., with a greatly expanded repertoire to suit the demands of the growing township. By May of 1861 engineering competition had become so fierce that foundries were having to specialise even more, resulting in Farrant & Co. turning out fully-fitted cooking ranges "under the superintendence and management" of Mr. William Hosking, civil and mining engineer.

BALLARAT FOUNDRY. FARRANT & CO.,

Iron and Brass Founders, Millwrights, and Engineers, corner of Doveton and Eyre streets, ARE prepared to Manufacture Mining Machinery at the lowest remunerative rates. Also, every description of Millwright’s work that Colonial appliances can produce, viz:- Dressing and Smutting Machines, Elevators, and Silk Bolters, Brewery and Tannery fluings, Agricultural Implements. Every description of machinery repaired on the shortest notice. N. B. – Old Iron and Brass taken in exchange for new castings.

FARRANT & CO., BALLARAT FOUNDRY.
IRON AND BRASS FOUNDERS, WHEELWRIGHTS, ENGINEERS, AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT MAKERS. STEAM ENGINES, STAMPERS BEST WHITE METAL. PUMPS AND PIPES ALL SIZES. EVERY DESCRIPTION OF MACHINERY MANUFACTURED OR REPAIRED. CORNER OF EYRE AND DOVETON STREETS.

COOKING. COOKING. RANGES AND STEAM KITCHENS.

‘FARRANT & CO., BALLARAT FOUNDRY, BEG most respectfully to inform Hotel and Restaurant Keepers, and other large establishments requiring articles of the above description, that they have now ready for inspection one of J. Hosking’s improved economical Cooking Ranges, fitted up complete. This range, with two convenient ovens, &c., is considered by all to be the best made article of the kind in the colony (Melbourne not excepted), but the principle for the most part has been well known in the Western part of England long since, and is there allowed to be far the best construction of the present day, for its great utility, durability, and economy in fuel; it is also constructed with great compactness and convenience, making a clear saving of nearly one-half the fuel (whether coals or wood) over other makers’ ranges of a more complicated construction, which saving will be found no small item in this locality. These ranges and other steam kitchens are to be manufactured at the Ballarat Foundry, under the superintendence and management of Mr Wm. Hosking, civil and mining engineer, &c. (the eldest son of the above mentioned inventor), who has had an opportunity of acquiring a thorough knowledge of this man branch of his father’s business, viz., cooking stoves and steam kitchen ranges, with all the various improvements connected therewith, for which knowledge, and two other important improvements made thereto, Mr W. H. was handsomely awarded the first prize at the last Great Exhibition in Melbourne, also for various plans and drawings which he there exhibited of quartz stamping batteries, with flash and grate discharge improvements, and various other mining machinery, on the latest and most approved principles. There may be seen at the foundry in a few days some very compact iron ovens, of various sizes and prices, suitable for small families, which will require but little or no brick work to set them a baking of roasting. FARRANT & CO.’

COUNTY COURT. Monday, 17th June. (Before his Honor Judge Rogers.)

Dobson v Jenner and others.-Mr Harris for plaintiff, Mr Wright for defendants. Action for £158, damages sustained from breach of contract to deliver a stripping machine to plaintiff in good order and condition. Defendants were the well known ironfounders, in Armstrong street. Henry Dobson, farmer at Burrumbeet, plaintiff, deposed that he bought a stripping machine from defendants, for £97, (The sale note was read,) Took the machine out to Burrumbeet, and when it was taken into the paddock it would not work. It only pulled up the corn by the roots. Tried nearly the whole day. Tins was eight or nine days after taking out the machine. Left the machine there, and afterwards told Mr Davey the machine was no use. One of defendants' men went round to the Ballarat foundry, where a man was called out, and an appointment made by. defendants' clerk for him to go out to see the machine. A few days after the man went out, and he could not get the machine to work, as it only pulled up the corn by the roots. The man said he could make some improvements to it, but it was too late in the season. After three or four hours' trial, plaintiff told the man the machine should be sent back to defendants. That was done, but defendants refused to take it in, and no terms were come to in the matter. He put the machine in the Market Square, and gave defendants notice that it lay there at their risk, he having lost £150 by it. Eventually he had it sold by Mr Oddie for about £20 at auction. At this point the witness was about to be examined on the consequential damages, but an objection was raised by Mr Wright, and the witness was ordered to leave the court, pending the argument. Counsel cited authorities to show that no damages could be recovered but those agreed to be borne, or the amount of the difference between the cost of the article supplied and a really good one. His Honor was disposed to concur, but would take the evidence de bene esse. Plaintiff, recalled, deposed that if the machine had been good the 100 acres would have been gathered in about a fortnight, but the difference in cost, as he had to cut the crop by hand labor, was over £100. "Cross examined-Everybody in Ballarat knows I am a farmer as well as a publican. I did not come to Ballarat to buy an Adelaide machine. I was twice at defendants' about it. I have heard the Adelaide machines strip and thrash too, but that they will not work in wet weather. There was a little rain before we tried defendants' machine, but when we used it the weather was dry and the corn too. I understood the machine was on the Adelaide principle. Don't believe it went ten yards without being choked up. Would not like to contradict Mr Jenner on his oath. Re-examined-The weather was mostly fine when we tried the machine, and no crops could be finer than mine. James Oddie, auctioneer and agent, deposed that he sold the machine at Mr McDermott's instructions. Sold the machine after three advertisements for £20. He was agent for the Adelaide machines, and his evidence might be open to exception, but he heard the farmers say- Mr Wright objected to what the formers said. Witness cross-examined The machine was disabled. I drew up the advertisement. It was correct to say it was "a new and superior machine." I knew it was on the Adelaide principle, and heard it was of superior make. The season was considered a wet one generally. The season had passed when the sale took place. William Curley, plaintiff's carter, deposed that the weather at the time in question was dry, and the crops magnificent, and that whether the machine went fast or slow, still the operation was essentially radical. The crop were torn up by the roots. This witness was not so well up in witness box proprieties as he appeared to be in farming matters, for he was sharply reprimanded by the judge for some remarks made in the box. Another witness corroborated the carter, and the plaintiffs case closed with plaintiff's recall to endorse the instructions for the sale of the machine. His Honor disallowed the consequential damages, and said the whole question was as to the right to sell, and the damages from difference of value of the machine. Mr Wright read-some correspondence between the parties, showing that all in the defendants repudiated all property in the machine when returned by the defendants, and argued that plaintiff having acted in opposition to his declaration, that the machine lay at defendants' risk, could not now recover. His Honor said defendants' repudiation affected the plaintiff's position, and entitled him to sell. Mr Wright urged that the sale was an act of absolute ownership. His Honor reserved the point. Mr Wright in opening for the defence said that according to Liebig's Agricultural Chemistry the action of the machine would be affected by the season, as a wet season altered certain chemical properties in the steam and so affected the working of the machine. John Adolphus Jenner, one of the defendants, deposed that when plaintiff came to inspect and buy the machine, he said he had looked at it before. Told plaintiff the price, and asked £100 or £110, and eventually plaintiff bought it for the price already-deposed to. The machine was of the sort that would not work if the corn was not very dry, and the weather also dry. Plaintiff did not seem to understand why the machine did not work. The machine would require a man acquainted with the working, and the horses would require to be very steady. Cross-examined-After we sent out a man to inspect the machine plaintiff came in and said the machine pulled up the corn by the roots, and he wished some other goods in lieu of it. I do not recollect his saying it was of no use to him. Thomas Davey, one of the defendants, deposed that plaintiff said he did not understand, nor had he a man who understood the machine. Told plaintiff it was essential that somebody should understand the machine, and advised him to go to Mr Farrant, the maker, at the Ballarat Foundry, and ask him about the machine. Never had notice of the sale from plaintiff or Mr McDermott. The whole season was wet for this climate. Cross-examined Knew-a machine was to be sold by Mr Oddie, and believed this one was to be sold. I had a doubt, as plaintiff's name did not appear. Dougall Carmichael said he had been making and working those machines for 15 years. He had made and worked them both in South Australia and Victoria. There was no patent in them. He had seen the machine in dispute, and the machine was in working order. He would not fear that he or any experimental man could make it go; but they were difficult to work, and the crop must be in a thoroughly good condition. The last season was the worst he had seen for the last 15 years. He had a first class machine of his own near Dobson's, but he could not work it more than four or five days in the week. The machine in dispute had been a little injured in the comb, but a skilful person would have remedied that in a minute. But the crop must be quite ripe and the worker must have a thorough knowledge of the machine. Cross-examined-A day's sun after a slight rain would do in Adelaide but not here. Examined the machine before it went out of Farrant's yard. The machine is a perfect imitation of Miller's Adelaide machines. Francis Clarke, a farmer at Coghill's Creek, deposed that he had bought a similar machine from defendants, and it worked very well in dry weather, but when it was wet it would not work. Cross-examined-They work just as well as Miller's. In fact I would as soon have mine as one of Miller's. His Honor at this point suggested that there was no need of further evidence as the scientific evidence showed plaintiff did not understand the working of the machine. Allen, the man who was sent out to see the machine at plaintiff's place, deposed that the machine stripped the corn clean but choked up, and he told plaintiff the crop was not in a suitable state. Plaintiff and his men said a more suitable crop. would never be found, and they went on again, but " she" choked up quicker than before, and the horses went off at a trot. Plaintiff ordered the men to take the machine right off away to Ballarat, but witness offered to put the comb to rights and alter its thrashing action; but plaintiff refused and ordered off the machine to Ballarat. The machine was in perfect working order at the time if the crop had been right, and the only alterations he proposed in the machine were to adapt it to the state the crop was in. His Honor said it was evident the machinery bad fallen into unskilful hands. Verdict for defendants, with £23 18s 4d costs.

To Engineers, Ironfounders, and Others.

In the Estate of Farrant, Partridge, and Co. Ironfounders, Ballarat. FOR SALE by Tender, in one or three lots, the whole of the plant of the Ballarat Foundry, consisting of steam-engine, lathes, blacksmiths’ tools, patterns, iron moulding boxes, and sundry castings, together with all the usual requisites for carrying on the Foundry and Engineering business, as per inventory to be seen on the premises. Tenders addressed to the undersigned to be delivered at the office of Messrs Jenner and Davey, Armstrong street, on or before 12 o’clock, Saturday, 24th inst. To any parties desirous of commencing in this line of business, this presents an opportunity seldom to be met with, as the whole of the plant is now fixed in working order, and a considerable trade is already attached to the premises, which in the hands of an energetic business man, could be much extended. The assignment of this Estate for the benefit of the creditors, arises solely from the fact of a disagreement between the former proprietors. The highest or any tender not necessarily accepted. THOMAS DAVEY. WILLIAM WALKER. Trustees.

Site

THE INDUSTRIES OF BALLARAT. OUR FOUNDRIES.

The premises occupied by Mr Richard Trahar, and known as the Yarrowee Foundry, are situated to the south-east of the Gas Works, and near to the western bank of the creek that has suggested their name. Commissioners' Flat, for this we believe is the designation of the spot in question, is liable to be overflowed, a circumstance which has compelled the proprietor not only to surround his works with a stout dyke to keep the water back, but to take additional premises on higher ground towards Sturt street, so that in case the furnaces in his main premises are swamped out, he can still carry on the lighter work in the upper shop. The latter, by the way, was originally established as a small foundry some years ago, by Messrs Newman & Co., who deemed it advisable to relinquish business in Ballarat and proceed with their plant to Smythesdale. This upper shop, which, as soon as vacated by the firm referred to, found a ready occupant in the person of Mr Trahar, contains a cupola for turning out smaller work up to two cwt. with a hand fan blast. Close by is a forge and anvil in full work, with another anvil about to be fixed. A bench with one vyce stands near the window, and near at hand are a number of iron trucks for various mining purposes, ready for transmission to the mining companies who have ordered them. At a distance of a few hundred yards we reach the main premises, which consist of a series of three roofs covering a large square space, which the proprietor has time after time taken in, as the gradual extension of his business throughout the five years he has been established justified and demanded. Even now he is anxious to make further extensions and improvements, but that his tenure may be interrupted or brought to a sudden close by the formation of new streets and communications. Proceed we to describe the interior. Entering by the south eastern door we note the boiler and, engine which by the requisite gearing sets in motion the lathes, and works the blasts for the forges and cupolas. The engine, a horizontal one, is stated to be the first made on Ballarat, and was almost entirely constructed by the proprietor himself. It is rated at three, but is capable of being worked up to four horse power if necessary. At the extremity of this portion of the building is the pattern makers' shop, with lathes and all necessary appliances. Adjoining is a fitting shop with two vyces, and a forge close by for sharpening the tools. Next the engine are two lathes on one wooden bed, so contrived as to introduce a shaft of great length. In the foundry we noticed on the occasion of our visit, several men engaged in preparing for casting the the [sic] wheels and other portions of tram waggons, and other smaller castings. The proprietor, who is at present engaged in supplying various mining companies with truck-wheels and trucks, is making arrangements for the execution of an order for stamp-heads and general machinery, for which purpose he is busy erecting outside of the main door a cupola, or smelting furnace, which, when completed, will be capable of turning out enough metal for a casting of two tons. The cupola is 3 feet 10 inches in diameter, and will consist of seven two foot sheets of iron, inclusive of the overlapping. Two other cupolas for smaller work stand close by, and are in daily use. The proprietor, who, with a handful of men, manages to turn out a considerable amount of work, was originally employed in both the Victoria and the Phoenix foundries, and is naturally proud of the result of his almost unassisted labors.

Works Produced

COOKING. COOKING. RANGES AND STEAM KITCHENS.

FARRANT & CO., BALLARAT FOUNDRY, BEG most respectfully to inform Hotel and Restaurant Keepers, and other large establishments requiring articles of the above description, that they have now ready for inspection one of J. Hosking’s improved economical Cooking Ranges, fitted up complete. This range, with two convenient ovens, &c., is considered by all to be the best made article of the kind in the colony (Melbourne not excepted), but the principle for the most part has been well known in the Western part of England long since, and is there allowed to be far the best construction of the present day, for its great utility, durability, and economy in fuel; it is also constructed with great compactness and convenience, making a clear saving of nearly one-half the fuel (whether coals or wood) over other makers’ ranges of a more complicated construction, which saving will be found no small item in this locality. These ranges and other steam kitchens are to be manufactured at the Ballarat Foundry, under the superintendence and management of Mr Wm. Hosking, civil and mining engineer, &c. (the eldest son of the above mentioned inventor), who has had an opportunity of acquiring a thorough knowledge of this man branch of his father’s business, viz., cooking stoves and steam kitchen ranges, with all the various improvements connected therewith, for which knowledge, and two other important improvements made thereto, Mr W. H. was handsomely awarded the first prize at the last Great Exhibition in Melbourne, also for various plans and drawings which he there exhibited of quartz stamping batteries, with flash and grate discharge improvements, and various other mining machinery, on the latest and most approved principles. There may be seen at the foundry in a few days some very compact iron ovens, of various sizes and prices, suitable for small families, which will require but little or no brick work to set them a baking of roasting. FARRANT & CO.

The People

Farrant, Higgins and Parker

External Links

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--Beth Kicinski 15:42, 20 December 2011 (EST)