PETONE WORKSHOPS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 816, 13 May 1910, Page 2

PETONE WORKSHOPS.

MOEE BUILDINGS AND PLANT.' VALUE OF SPECIALISING. According to the Hon. .J. A. Millaji (Minister tor Railways), the proposed ex* penditure of .£BOOO on new buildings anil .£12,50,0 on new plant at the Petone workshops is part of a large developmental ■ scheme in connection with, the .various 1 railway workshops throughout the Do-: minion. Under the scheme the principal i shops in the South Island, together with tho works in Hup North Island, where the largest amount of work is done, are being ■ improved first. Other developments will take place in the different shops as the necessity arises. Last year nearly .£25,000 was spent in bringing the Addington shops up to date. One of the main features in regard to the scheme is the in- ' auguration of a system of specialisation, ■'•' It was found that where specialisation is ' carried out much better results are obtained, for the employees become ex-' perts in their particular branch, and the cost of freight from ono part to another is infinitesimal compared with the cost ol equipping all the shops with machines for which there would not be ■ sufficient work. ' \

Dealing specifically with tho Petono shops, Mr. Millar says that there has d£ late been a very, great increase in the requirements in respect both of Tolling stock and repairs. This has been due 1 in great measure to the completion of the North Island-Main Trunk line. During the past six months double shifts have had to be worked there, anil considerable overtime has be paid. Under such a system tho work cannot , be turned, out so economically as if there was suf« ficient accommodation and additional machinery. The object in view is 'of course to reduce the cost of the production of rilling stock as well as the" cost/of r&* pairs. Unless under__e.xceptiona! ..circumstances, overtime would then not have to be paid. Among the various alterations which will be made is the electrification' of the cranes. It will probably take twelve months before the whole of tho improvements are effected.