Murray's Foundry.

The Wanganui Iron and Brass Foundry and Engineering Works were established by the present proprietor in the year 1868, at which time it employed some 6 or 8 men; since then it has slowly but steadily grown to its present size, and employs, in busy times, upwards of 150 men. It now covers upwards of half an acre, and the buildings are well arranged, and contain many modern tools and appliances. On the whole it is one of the most important industries on the West Coast, being capable of turning out all kinds of machinery, including saw mill, corn mill, and flax machinery, cheese, butter, and meat preserving plants, steam engines and page 24 boilers, from 2 to 50-horse power, and many other pieces of machinery too numerous to mention. The works have a frontage to the river, and small steamers, yachts, and launches are successfully dealt with. The firm has also successfully contracted for, and erected, many of the Government works throughout the colony. A large river steamer for the W.R.S.N. Co. is now on the stocks at the works. She is being built with 19 water-tight compartments; draught, 18 inches; working up to 90 horse power, and capable of steaming twelves miles an hour.