The Mirror – Perth 28 August 1937, page 23
Kalgoorlie Brewery’s Record of Progress, Maker of Big K Ale and Stout & Hannan Lager
ONLY one of the 19 breweries once trading on the Goldfields has survived. That is the Kalgoorlie Brewery and its record is one of continued progress. Three big factors in the outstanding success of the Kalgoorlie Brewing and Ice Co. Ltd., are – the business acumen of the late managing director, Mr. James Hurtle Cummins (1904-1936) — the high efficiency and unfailing loyalty or the staff, and the quality of the product.
The late James Hurtle CUMMINS
The company was floated on February 24, 1896, the original shareholders being: V. L. Solomon, merchant, Adelaide, R. Fagan, speculator, Kalgoorlie; F. G. Brewer, speculator, Kalgoorlie; J. P. Lee, publican, Kalgoorlie; E. S. Solomon, agent, Kalgoorlie; G. Layland, mining agent, Kalgoorlie; and F. Wittenoom, mining agent, Kalgoorlie.
William Francis Widgery, Esq.
The capital of the company is £12,000 divided into 24,000 shares of 10/- each. The first secretary was Mr. E. F. Jack. He was succeeded by Mr. A. E. Linnet, who gave place to Mr. C. A. Nelson. It is to Mr. Nelson that the company owes its well-known trademark, ‘Big K.‘
In December 1910, Mr. H. L. Barnard was appointed secretary, which position he held until succeeded in 1933 by Mr. Percy Johnson. The knowledge gained by Mr. Johnson during his 25 years experience in the various offices which he has filled is a ‘SOUND FOUNDATION’ for the position he now occupies to the advantage of the company. During the infancy of the company, the late R. D. McKenzie, Esq. M.L.C., was chairman of directors, his co-directors at that time being the late J. H. Cummins, S. B. Hocking, and J. J. Dwyer. Later, Mr. McKenzie retired from active association with the company and his interest is today represented by W. F. Widgery, Esq.
The late Mr. James H. Cummins was appointed managing director in 1904. He immediately threw the whole of his energy into the determination to make the Kalgoorlie Brewery the most successful business of its kind on the Goldfields. New brewing methods, such as the then-novel chilling and filtering of beer — were introduced and up-to-date plant purchased, with the result that the business began to leap ahead, so much so that in 1908 the directors passed a resolution expressing appreciation of the valuable services rendered by Mr. J. H. Cummins.
Breweries Taken Over
The financial affairs of the company continued to develop with the result that in 1912 the Lion Brewery of Coolgardie, with five freeholds, viz., Denver City. Australia, Westralia. Victoria and United Service Hotels was purchased by Mr. Cummins. With commendable foresight, the absorption of the Langsford Brewery followed in 1918, and one year later, the interests of the Union Brewery were taken over. The directors then decided that it would be beneficial to the company to move the headquarters of the Brewery from the premises then occupied in Porter Street, to those of the Union Brewery in Brookman street, as the establishment there enabled them to substitute the then modern system of skimming for file old Burton Union system, which had been considered the best up to that time. The Introduction of this new plant and method further increased the popularity of the already favorably known ‘Big K’ Ale, and In 1920 the directors were able to negotiate the purchase of the Boulder City Brewery.
During the years that followed, the success of the Kalgoorlie Brewery was further consolidated, and its products were well and favorably known throughout Australia. Over the last decade, the trend of brewing the world over has gradually passed from the top to bottom fermentation. When this demand for the lager type of brew was made by the public of the Goldfields, the directors of the Kalgoorlie Brewery, following the established progressive tradition of their company, planned the erection of a modern lager brewery. For 40 years, the company had supplied its customers with a drink that had never failed to satisfy.
CR. Leslie George Bennit Director of Kalgoorlie Brewery and president of the L.V.A. His father was Bill Bennit of the Rising Sun Hotel at Parkeston.
The new Brewery, therefore, had to be of a type to produce only the best of lagers. With this in view, the directors invited quotes and specifications from the leading brewery engineers of Australia, England, Switzerland, Germany, and America. After mature consideration of the plans, particulars, and advice received from the world’s foremost technicians, it was determined to place contracts where the best equipment could be obtained, irrespective of the expense.
FIRST SOD’ CEREMONY
TURNING THE FIRST SOD
of the New Lager Brewery on August If, 1936
L-R – A. Deacon (brewer), Miss A. M. Cummins, LL.B. (managing director), P. Jonnson (secretary).
THAT’S FAITH
Kalgoorlie Brewery Spends £100,000 On New Building
To talk about faith in the Goldfields is easy. To express that faith in a great new building that costs £100,00 is a much more practical form of confidence.
The Kalgoorlie Brewery has a notable record of progress. It has gained the approval and support of Goldfields people by its high-quality products and it has held that support by its consistency. The great faith of the directors is exemplified in its fine new building and the modern plant it houses. From the day the first sod was turned. It took only one year to erect the building and install the equipment, in the selection and erection of which the directors had the best information from brewers of world repute. Miss A. M. Cummins, L.L.B.. managing director, and the company, are great supporters of the Fields, and they are to be congratulated on their fine £100,000 gesture of that continued faith in the future.
Moya Sharp
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