| Index |
The Company owns quarries in various parts of the Island and is the largest quarry firm at Portland. The Bath Stone Firms Ltd was originally a combination of stone firms at Bath. In 1898 the Company extended its field of operations to Portland. In March, 1899, it acquired by purchase the Weston Quarries and Mr Henry Sansom became the local manager. The quarry business and the quarries of the well known Stewards' Firm were purchased in August 1900. In July of last year the Sawmills and Masonry Works of Messrs Webber & Pangbourne Ltd., were also acquired. The Business of the Company has developed with remarkable success. The Portland stone trade was never more prosperous or more active than at the present time. The Bath Stone Firms export of stone last year was 87,868 tons.
Mr Barnes quarrying and Stone business is the second largest on the Island, ranking next to Bath Stone Firms Ltd. The business has incorporated the quarries of the Portland Stone Co Ltd (acquired Jan 1889 and the works of the Stone Working and Quarrying Co. Ltd. (purchased Sept., 1891).
About 17 years ago there was no one in Portland to do engineering work for ships. Mr Baker, then an enterprising young man, saw the opportunity and opened a little forge at Castletown. Finding then that he had a difficulty in getting castings in cases of emergency, he promptly started a small foundry. Sterling business capacity and enterprise gained the confidence and support of shipping firms and quarry owners at Portland and the business grew apace, necessitating successive extensions and enlargements of works. Next, Mr Baker joined as junior partner the firm of Government contractors over which Mr Jesty presided Under him the firm developed considerably extending its scope of operations from Netley to Exeter all along the Southern Coast following the system of the L & S W R Company, as affording the greatest facilities for business Eventually Mr Baker acquired the whole interest in the firm of Messrs Jesty &. Baker. It may be mentioned that during four years this firm was building all the modern fortifications at Portland, Weymouth and Upton, except one battery. The firm has (1905) nearly completed the construction of the new official Naval residences at Portland, the new Police Station and the Wyke Regis drainage scheme. The large growth of building work prompted the acquisition of works in which the firm could turn out their own masonry. In 1904 Mr Baker took over the old-established stone business of Mr George Mitchell. The firm's operations cover a wide area and they constantly employ about 500 men. Among the other important contracts executed by Messrs Jesty & Baker were the re-decoration of Netley Hospital and the remodelling of the drainage system a task which took some five years.
Messrs Hill and Co. built the second breakwater at Portland and are engaged in the construction of a new coaling pier for the Admiralty.
The name of the Company was changed as from Jan 30, 1905. In 1904 the Stone Saw Mills of the Company were acquired the Bath Stone Firms, Ltd. THE MERCHANTS' RAILWAY, Portland was authorised by an Act of Parliament in 1825, and opened in Oct, 1826, The railway was constructed for the conveyance of stone from Tophill to the quays and the Weymouth and Portland Railway. The capital of the company is 100 �50 shares and dividends varying from nine to thirty per cent. per annum have been paid on the original shares. Mr J. T. F. Turner, of Weymouth, is the secretary of the company and the management is in the hands of the shareholders, of whom the largest are the late Colonel Steward's Trustees, the Bath Stone Firms Ltd., and Sir Richard N Howard, J.P.
The Easton and Church Hope Railway runs from the Portland Station, Underhill, round Castletown and up the East Cliff to Easton. The line was commenced as far back as 1868, but was not until New Acts of Parliament were obtained that the works were completed. It opened for goods in 1900 and for passengers in 1902. The line worked jointly by the L&SWR. and the GWR. Companies,
This company, which established in 1900, has extensive works near the. St. Martin's Estate, Portland, fitted up with the most modern appliances.
MR. J. J. PATTEN is one of the oldest builders in the Island, and has always been known for the reliable character of his work. Among, the principal buildings he has erected are the: Royal Hotel ; Post Office (Fortune's Well) ; Post Office. (Castletown) ; Wesleyan (Brackenbury Memorial) Church ; Primitive Methodist Church ; Catholic Chapel (Grove) ; Albert. Inn ; Messrs Collies & Co.'s office ; Gasworks ; Custom House ; Drill Hall, Etc. MESSRS WAKEHAM BROS. NATIONAL TELEPHONE CO. The telephone exchange at Portland was opened in August, 1900. The subscribers now number over 40. Any subscriber in the Island of Portland can speak to any part of the Kingdom connected with the trunk line; and the general public may do the like from the call office at 21, Fortune's Well. Communication can also be had by the general public from the call office to any subscriber in Portland or Weymouth for 1d and to Dorchester for 2d. The call office is kept open at night and on Sundays. A new call office is shortly (1905) to be opened at Easton. PORTLAND CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD. This Society commenced business in November 1903 with 60 members. Its registered office is at. 26 Reforne. The present share capital is �740 - 8s - 9d and its membership 257. Its shops are at 26, Reforne and 52 Fortune's Well. The sales of the Society for the quarter ending December 31st were �1,258. 4s 9d.
Capital �72,800 divided into 10,560 ordinary shares of �5 each and 4,000 six per cent preference Shares of �5 each. Steamers:- Majestic, certified to carry 408 passengers across Channel ; Monarch, ; Brodick Castle ; Victoria ; Empress ; Premier ; Queen ; Albert Victor ; Prince George ; Princess ; Prince Edward, and two steam launches.
^ back to top ^ |