VISIT TO INDUSTRY

Chronicle (Levin), 26 August 1947, Page 2

VISIT TO INDUSTRY

OUTING BY PUPILS OF OTAKI SCHOOL The senior scholars of the Otaki State School, accompanied by their teachers, paid a most enjoyable visit to several industrial centies in Wellington recently. Leaving Otaki by bus,.the party of 36 children arrived at Parliament Buildings at 10 a.m. when they were met by members of the Junior Chamber of Comraejpe, which enthusiastic body had arranged the trip. Mr. Davies (president) and Mr. Mitchell (seeretary), welcomed the party, which was then shown through the House of Renresentatives, each child having

the privilege of sittmg m ivir. Speaker's chair, and having parts of interest shown them, 011 to the Legislative Council and finally into the Parliamentary Library, where they were fascinated with the great number of books contained therein. As they proceeded through the building the officer who conducted them explained interesting and historical sections. The automatic telephone exchange was next visited and there the intricate nature of the machinery was explained by mechanics, who spared no pains to inform the children simply of the working of this wonderful machine. It speaks well for the officers of this department, who, busy though they are, go to no end of trouble t9 interest these parties who yiew the exchange from time to time. Lunch was partaken of at the Waterloo School, where the children renewed friendships made recently when the Waterloo children visited Otaki. They were welcomed by Mr. W. Adams, late headmaster of the Otaki School. In the afternoon Griffin's biscuit factory, situated ln beautiful grounds which attractea the children's attention and brought forth expressions of delight, was visited, the process of biscuit making. from the beginning to end being closely observed. An old pupil of the Otaki School, Mr. S. Watts, is factory manager of this firm, and was pleased to chat to members of the party. Each child was given a generous sample of the day's production. The final industry to be seen was the vast factory of Ford Motors in Petone. Here one of the firm's members conducted the party through, commencing at the executive offices and continuing through the huge establishment where cars, trucks and buses were seen gradually taking shape upon the long assembly lines, each workman doing his part with precision.' Several children were so fascinated by the various operations that it was difficult to keep them in a body to follow the party from section to section. On leaving each child received a memento in the shape of a booklet. To Mr. Fuller (of the -P. and T. Department) and his officers, Mr. Vaney (Griffin's Ltd.), Mr. Mercer (Ford Motors), Messrs. Davies and Mitchell (Junior Chamber of Commerce ) , and the many kindly people who helped make the trip

possible, Mr. James (headmaster) and Mr. Townrow, of the Otaki School, returned thanks, the children showing their appreciaton by rousing cheers. Mr. Davies, who accompanied the party throughout the tour, deserves special mention, and his enthusiasm, kindness and courtesy made the day a most enjoyable one for 0 the chldren, whose social studies received a definite encouragement. The girls were accompanied by Miss K. Keddell, senior mistress at the school. To Mr. Ballinger, of Sunbeam Motors, whose kindly assistance and patient toleration of his juvenile passengers' exuberance, the party offers its appreciation.