The Sun.
London, England, 1864-05-31 00:00:00

PROSPECTUS.

- - - -
This Company has been formed for the purpose of pur-
chasing and carrying on the important and well-known busi-
ness of Engineers, Ironfounders, and Manufacturers of
Agricultural Machinery and Implements, which having been
established nearly half a century, has been conducted for the
last thirty years by Messrs. Barrett, Exall, and Andrewes.
While these gentlemen will realise by this transaction the
accumulated profits of many years, they will yet remain large
oh 3reho' der •, and continue to give their active co-operation
in conducting the future business of the company.
The demand for machinery at home and abroad being so
extensive, capital to any extent can be profitably employed
in its production, and the recent transfer of so many of the
first-class engineering firms in the country to companies
formed under the Act of 1862, among whom may be named
Messrs. l'airbairn and Co., and Messrs. Sharp, Stewart, and Co.,
of Manchester, Messrs. John Brown and Co., and Messrs. Cam-
Mal and Co., of Sheffield, Messrs. Slaughter, Gruning, and
Co., of Bristol, St,a, is at once proof of the advantageous cha-
racter of the principle of association.
A provisional Agreement, equitable and satisfactory, has
been entered into with the Vendors, which secures to the
Company, at a valuation, the freehold known as " The
Katesgrove Iron Works, Reading," together with other
valuable freeholds al-id leaseholds: the goodwill, stock in
trade, plant, machUery, patent rights. &c.
The freeholds consist of water-side premises, having a
with a roadway on the other side,
depth feet,44o
o
fi 75 feet, on which are erected the
andßiv er
an f rao average
of
large ithA commodious foundry, smithy, boiler shops, enei-
neers', fitters', and erectors' shops, replete with the necessary
tools and machinery. The engine-house with its horizontal
engine of 40-horse power, pair of boilers, baths, gas works,
offices, &c., as well as the lofty and massive store rooms,
pattern stores, &c. A very large and commodious wood-
machine shop about 120 feet long by 30 feet wide, and a con-
verted timber yard occupies the site of another freehold.
The leasehold property consists of 10 acres of meadow
land, separated by the Elver Kennet from the Katesgrove
freehold, and easily connected at any time by a bridge.
The remaining works, on which are additional steam en-
gines of thirty-five hose power, are held on annual tenure,
on which are the saw mills, Stables, wood shops, store rooms,
iron house, and warehouses, smithy, sheris, show rooms,
offices, &c., the whole of which are conveniently arranged.
The connections and Agencies established by the retiring
Te-irm, both in this country and in the Colonies, as well as
throughout Europe, combined with the signal success which
their manufactures have attained, and the leading position
which they hold, their recognised standing at the Interna-
tional Exhibitions in England in 1851 and 1862, and in France
in 1855, manifested also in the numerous and distinguished
prizes they have taken throughout Europe, cannot fail to
secure to this Company a rosperous futur,.
As a guarantee of the soundness of the undertaking, the
Vendors have agreed that they will not receive any interest
on their shares until a minimum dividend of 5 per cent. has
been paid on the remainder of the subscribed mate, which
agreement is to extend over a period of five years—while Mr.
William Exall and Mr. Charles J. Andrewee,who have taken
respectively the Engineering and Commercial Manag,emer t
in the business, will, as soon as the transfer is complete, take
seats at the Board, and bring to bear their extensive and
valuable experience.
Whilst the Directors attach much importance to this agree-
ment with the Vendors, they think it right to state that they
have been advised by those capable of forming a correct opi-
nion on the subject, that the shareholders may fully antici-
pate a safe and remunerative dividend, and will therefore
only add, in conclusion, that of the many enterprises now
before the public, few can surpass it in this reasonable expec-
tation, inasmuch as its op, rations wile not be suspended for
single day ; its connection is made, the profits will therefore
be immediate, and the Directors have every reason to hope
that the services of the present executive staff, which has so
tloontgheainrdsufecaiethssfourlsly. served the retiring firm, may be secured
Prospectuses and Forms of Application for Shares may be
nad of the Bankers, .rokers, Solicitors, and Secretary, at the
Offices of the Company in London or Reading. Each appli-
cat.on must 1-e accompaniA with a dep.-sit of 20s. per Share.
The articles o Association may be inspected at the offices of
the Bolici, or, 35, Lincoln's-inn-fields, London.