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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]
West Plains Fellmongery
West Plains Fellmongery (William Cawthorne, proprietor), West Plains. Mr Cawthorne's fellmongery and boiling-down establishment at West Plains, is near the railway siding. This large and up-to-date business has been expanded from an older establishment on the Waikiwi road. The main building, which measures 60 feet by 42 feet, is used for working the skins, drying the wool, and putting it in bales, etc. The engine room and washing shed combined is 60 feet by 20 feet. A large centrifugal pump supplies all the water for washing the wool, for use in the pits, and for many other purposes. The pelt shed is 30 feet by 14 feet, and there is a wool-drying shed, 95 feet by 40 feet, with four floors. In the boiling-down department, the fat and digester shed measures 24 feet by 20 feet; the boiler and engine shed is 20 feet by 16 feet; and the bone shed, 30 feet by 24 feet. This shed is used for grinding bones for manure. The business office at the works is fourteen feet by ten feet. The power used on the premises for doing the whole of the work is twenty-horse. There is a stable for four horses.