Page 12 Advertisements Column 1

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 2, 24 March 1927, Page 12 (Supplement)

The National Electrical & Engineering Co., Ltd. FOR EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL REPRESENTING: The British Thomson Houston Co., Ltd. . Electrical Machinery, Electrical Apparatus, Magnetos, Radio Apparatus, “Mazda” Lamps. British Insulated Cables Ltd. Wires and Cables, Electric Static Condensers. N.Z. Insulators Ltd. Porcelain Insulators and Tubes. F. A. D. Andrae Inc. “Eada” Radio Receivers and Loud Speakers. ' ■f m ,X.'7 5*13 THE MOST UP-TO-DATE ELECTRICAL ESTABLISHMENT IN THE DOMINION. Sole N.Z. Agents “fADA” RADIO of Recention REPRESENTING : General Electric Company (U.S.A.) Electrical Machinery, Electrical Apparatus, Traction Motors and Controllers, Heating Appliances. Etchells, Congdon & Muir Ltd. Passenger and Goods Elevators, Hoisting Machinery. Ransomes & Rapier Ltd. Hand, Steam, Electric, and Petrol Cranes. Edison Electric Appliance Co. “Hotpoint” Electrical Appliances. P.O. Box 445 G.P.O. THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL & ENGINEERING Co., Ltd also at WHANGAREI and HAMILTON and all MAIN SOUTHERN CENTRES ■ ■ “MAZDA” HOUSE CUSTOMS ST. W., AUCKLAND

A. & G. PRICE, Ltd. Locomotive, Marine and Boilermakers, Blacksmiths, Iron & Engineers Brass Founders IT was with profound pleasure, writes the Editor of “The New Zealander,” that during a recent visit to the Thames, I made the acquaintance of Messrs. A. and G. Price, Ltd., whose energy, ability, and perseverance have made Thames an historic name in New Zealand for engineering enterprise and production. I can say without any exaggeration that I was most agreeably surprised to find here engineering works of the magnitude and character of Messrs. A. and G. Price, Ltd. It reminded me of Glasgow’s earlier history, and of the prescience and skill which was required to make the capital of the West of Scotland the greatest shipbuilding port in the World. .Messrs. A. and G. Price are indeed Empire. Builders in New Zealand, and the work they do deserves the grateful recognition of the Government and people of New Zealand. A HISTORY OF THE FIRM IN ENGINE BUILDING. A few lines on the brief history of this firm should prove most interesting to the people of the Dominion. More than a quarter of a century ago the New Zealand Government Railways came to know a good deal about the work and the activities of the “Price Foundry,” and called for tenders for ten W.F. or tank type railway engines. Messrs. A. and G. Price, Ltd., tendered at £2,800 per engine, which was officially accepted. To build these ten engines was a task of great magnitude, but was begun and continued with extraordinary energy. The works were at once enlarged, the staff was increased, new plant of British manufacture was installed, and in the end the whole contract was carried out in the best possible manner, and to the entire satisfaction of the Government. Indeed, so complete was the satisfaction with the work which Messrs. A. and G. Price did, that a further order of several engines of the same type was obtained for the Public Works Department. The name and the reputation of the firm now grew apace. It become known, not only in Auckland Province, but throughout New Zealand for its efficiency and the excellence of its work, and in 1906 it was successful in obtaining by tender for twenty new type of Class A Compound Engines, which were required for use in connection with the opening of the North Island Main Trunk Line. This was an order of great magnitude, but it was executed as were all the others, to the perfect satisfaction of the Railway Department, and very soon came another order of thirty engines of class 8.8. type, eight wheels, coupled, which were required for heavy traffic haulage on the railways. The Company, now encouraged by a record of which any engineering works in the Empire might be proud, and desiring to aspire to the highest ambitions in the profession, began the construction of the largest engines used in New Zealand except that of class X type which is driven on the North Island spiral grade. The Government, however, as in previous cases, supplied wheels, axles, springs and patent parts from railway workshops. THE FIRM IN GOLD MINING AND MARINE WORK. The gold mining of the Thames has been a history of romance, of wonderful attainment, and sustained effort, but the firm, of Messrs. A. and G. Price, Ltd., has rendered magnificent service by the excellence and power of the gold mining equipment which it turned out. A brief resume of some of the firm’s activities in this respect, will be interesting to the public. It manufactured the following;.— (1) The 100 stamp battery, for the Waihi Co., at Waikino. (2) The Silverton, at Waihi. (3) The Crown and Woodstock, at Karangahake. (4) The Mahara Royal, at Tapu. (5) The Monowai, at Waiomo Creek. (6) The Moanataiari and the Fame and Fortune afterwards known as Waiotahi, at Thames. Such works as these have only to be mentioned to be understood by every reader how wide and farreaching their activities extend. But their operations have extended into other fields, and wheresoever they have gone the greatest success has always attended their efforts. The firm built one of the first triple expansion marine engines in New Zealand, which was fitted in the Dispatch, a steamer which was used for the firm’s transport operations. Besides all this, many vessels in the early days had engines fitted in them, and bore the name of “Price,” such as the Durham, Wairoa, Coromandel, Countess, Kawau, Paeroa, Waimari, Taniwha, Toiler, Waitere, and the Taianui, etc. BUSH ENGINES, ETC., FOR SAWMILLERS’ OPERATIONS. In travelling the northern part of New Zealand to-day, one sees green pasture and fertile farms everywhere. Everywhere the rustic scene is one of beauty and charm, but it is well to pause and to reflect on the enormous amount of labour which had to be expended to produce that. The bush had to *e felled, and the almost impenetrable forests had to be removed, ere the song of the dairy maid could be heard in the hours when the larks carol in the morning. Messrs. A. and G. Price, Ltd., built sawmilling engines and locomotives, and made general machinery, saw benches, haulers, deal frames and jacks, logging blocks and every other requisite necessary to bring in our higher civilisation. MESSRS. A. AND G. PRICE’S, LTD., BOILERS. The boilers which the firm turn out is another pronounced feature of their work. They made ten High-Class Machine Work of all Classes. Specialise in Gear Cutting Spur Bevel, Worm, and Spiral Gearing, in all kinds of material. Bevel Gearing cut on Gleason Generating machine, and Worm Wheels on Holroy’s Hobhing machine ensuring absolute accuracy and lowest cost. Head Office : THAMES Phone 34 P.O. Box 24 Branch : QUA Y St., AUCKLAND Phone 44-712 P.O. 654 huge boilers for the Hauraki pumping station, which were used at the reclamation works. Boilers are also made for all purposes and are sent to all parts of New Zealand. In 1906 Messrs. A. and G. Price, Ltd., opened a branch works at Quay Street, Auckland, installing a complete new plant of high class British machine tools; this with the object of carrying out all classes of lighter general work, motor car repairs and renewals, gear cutting, and factory repairs. This branch has been most successful in its operations and has worthily upheld the high repute of the parent works for efficient and well executed service to all its customers. It employs a staff of about forty workers, many of whom have been almost continuously in its employ passing through apprenticeship period and remaining with the firm as competent journeymen. The branch works is in easy reach and in efficient communication with the head office at Thames, and co-ordination of effort between the two works ensures to customers rapid, efficient, and economical handling of all work entrusted to it. The branch business carries stocks of high-class alloy and cast steels suitable for all classes of special work requiring the use of high grade special treatment steel, and these being secured always on indent conditions ensures to customers the highest quality material at an economical cost being used in their work. From time to time newer and more up-to-date machines have been installed by the Company to meet the growing needs due to the general expansion of New Zealand requirements; so that as far as has been possible New Zealand hands have been able to furnish the country’s own engineering requirements. The Auckland business has expanded to such an extent that a new “home” has become necessary and new premises of considerably larger area are in course of construction in Quay Strept opposite the New Railway Station site. New machine tools and up-to-date equipment are being installed here. THE ENORMOUS IMPORTANCE OF MESSRS PRICE’S FOUNDRY TO THAMES. The citizens of Thames should ever think of Messrs. A. and G. Price with the utmost gratitude, when it is known that they built and delivered ouy 110 engines, every one of which was perfect in workmanship, material, and finish, and which brought to the town iii wages and salaries the enormous sum of over £700,000. THE FIRM’S HUMANITY. Nothing perhaps is more satisfactory and pleasing to the student of history, as it also always is to the thoughtful public, than to note the extraordinarily fine spirit of humanity which animates this firm. No less than 200 men are employed, but when we learn that many of the staff have been on the pay roll of the firm for more than twenty years, and that some have actually been on for over fifty years, we realise how beautiful and splendidly altruistic the relations between employers and employees are. PERSONAL HISTORY OF THE FIRM. The public of New Zealand will now enquire somewhat concerning the personal history of this firm. Mr. Alfred Price, who came from the West of England, landed in 1863. He, and his brother George, became first and second engineers on a steamer named the “Huntress,” which traded between Manukau and Hokitika. In time they gave up the sea, and started business in Onehunga, but in 1870 they made Thames their headquarters, and now the huge business is so large that the buildings cover over three acres of land. I went over all the works, saw all the various departments, studied, as best I could, the wonderful plant in full operation, spoke to a great number of the men, and I can only say that to me the whole was a perfect revelation. Mr. Alfred Price, who was known for his rare ability and fine character, died in 1907, in which year the business was reorganised into a limited liability company. The whole business, in every department and in every detail, shows the utmost care, efficiency, skill, and ability. It is controlled by Mr. Will Price, a son of Mr. Alfred Price, and Mr. Geo. Price, a son of Mr. Geo. Price. Mr. Peter Watson, still a director, managed at one time, the branch at Quay Street, Auckland. Mr. V. G. Jones is secretary to the firm. Mr. W. Wilson is works manager. CONCLUSION. New Zealand has laid the foundations and is now rapidly developing towards becoming one of the great Dominions of the British Empire. What tho United Kingdom did in the Northern Atlantic, New Zealand will accomplish in the Southern Pacific. In laying the foundations of this splendid country, our early pioneers did noble and unforgettable service, and among them none were better, more efficient, and enterprising than were Messrs. Alfred and George Price. Their names will never be forgotten. They were Empire-Builders in this land, and we owe them an infinite debt of gratitude. Those who now control the firm which they so nobly founded .re inspired by the same lofty motives, and a country’s gratitude, the success which crowned the early years, and the ample rewards of work well done which came to them, will descend on their successors who now carry on the good work, but in ever larger and increasing measure. The ha.rvest they reaped will again be reaped with added joy and in the knowledge that young New Zealand is growing into a strong and reliant manhood.