Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 1947 MAKER OF MILLIONS OF CARS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 71, 25 August 1947, Page 4

Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 1947 MAKER OF MILLIONS OF CARS

WITH the death of Henry Ford at the age of 83, the world has lost a genius who did much to bring into being an industry that has changed civilisation, and a great industrialist whose vast achievements and personality won him worldwide renown. From a humble mechanic he became one of the world’s most publicised men—so much so that news editors treated Henry Ford as news. A man of vision, a thinker, and a fighter, who was immovable so long as he believed a principle or thing was right. A case in point was his lone-hand fight against the so-called basic Selden patent, which, if sustained, would have placed the then budding world’s automobile industry under tribute, driving out of it all those unable or unwilling to take out a licence and pay royalties. Ford, unaided, fought the case to a victorious finish in 1911. That Ford did much to put the world on wheels is evidenced by the fact that since the inception of the Ford Motor Co. in 1903 more than 31,000,000 automobiles were produced at the Ford plants. Of that huge total model “T’s” accounted for 15,458,781 units. This famous runabout, which was really responsible for Henry Ford’s colossal wealth, made its first appearance in 1908, when 10,660 were made and sold at 950 dollars each. By 1913 the output had reached 1000 a day, the tourer selling in America at 550 dollars. The lowest figure the model “T” tourer sold at in America was 360 dollar’s (then about £75) in 1916 and 1917. In 1921 production exceeded the million mark the sedan being listed at 645 dollars. In 1925 some 9000 cars were coming off the assembly line daily. The peak output was reached in 1923, when 2,090,338 model “T’s” were made. The sedan was then listed at 580 dollars in the United States. Production of this model ceased in 1927 when a change-over, necessitating a six months closing of the Ford plants, was made to the model “A” sedan, which was first listed at 495 dollars. After five years’ production this model gave way in 1932 to the “V 8”, which had such a public appeal that the yearly output had reached 1,342,346 in 1935. A survey of Henry Ford’s wonderful achievements points to the striking fact that of the vast wealth he derived from the building of automobiles it was in the making and marketing of the model “T,” the world’s lowest priced car, that accounted for his multi-millions. His mass production methods—for he was a specialist in business science—enabled the Ford plants to produce a “people’s car” at a price the worker could afford to pay. The time is fast approaching when the worker’s need of low-priced personal transportation will have to be met by a modernised lowpriced car to carry on the good work the “Tin Lizzie” initiated.

Leper Island Renamed Leper Island, a small rocky outcrop north of Somes Island, has been renamed Mokapuna Island at the request of the Wellington Beautifying Society. This was announced at the monthly executive meeting, when the secretary, Mr J. A. Arcus, circulated a letter from the Geographic Board of the Lands and Survey Department stating that they were agreeable to the adoption of the new name.

Dehydrated Apples The increasing public demand for dehydrated apples was commented on by the chairman of the Fruit Marketing Council, Mr R. Fraser, in a report to the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation Conference. He said that dehydration was being effected both at Hastings and Motueka although the quantity that could be processed was far below present market requirements. There was more than a possibility that dehydration might be a serious challenge to cool storage in the supply of cooking apples to the public, and should this prove correct the marketing authority would have to take cognisance of the position.

Juniors Defeat Seniors On Sunday the United juniors, out to avenge their defeat last week, succeeded in defeating the United seniors 9—6. Footballers As Guests Interested guests at the Ruatoki ceremonial last Saturday were the members of the Manukau and Mt. Albert Rugby League teams who later met the local League reps, with a brace of friendly games. With one accord the men were deeply appreciative of the hospitality extended him and were also greatly interested in the novelty of the occasion. The Example Of The Moa Apparently inspired by the name of its district, a Papamoa hen recently laid an outsize egg. It may, on the other hand, have been following the example of a duck from the same district which made a similar feat of production recently. The egg weighed 4| ounces, measured seven inches round its girth, and eight inches round its long circumference. The bird, a Minorca, is owned by Mr D. C. McNaughton. .