AMALGAMATED BRICKS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 646, 24 April 1929, Page 10

AMALGAMATED BRICKS

NEW OFFICES OPENED BY THE MAYOR ORDER FOR TWO MILLION The spacious new offices of the j Amalgamated Brick and Pipe Com- ! pany, Ltd., in Queen’s Arcade, Cus- ! toms Street East, were officially j opened yesterday afternoon by the j Mayor of Auckland, Mr. George I Baildon. The offices, which are lined in brick, are sumptuously fitted throughout. The dark colour of the brick lends a most pleasing atmosphere, and constitutes something unique in office appointment. The chairman of directors, Mr. James Fletcher, in welcoming the Mayor and guests, said there had been misgivings in certain sections of the public when the amalgamation was announced. Three years ago, he said, Auckland had the reputation for making the worst bricks in the world. It was then that the Auckland Brick Company was formed in an endeavour to stabilise prices, and improve the quality of the article turned out. Today Auckland could make bricks which were better than those of any other town in New Zealand. The company had then introduced a new line —hollow tiles. Duplication of machinery had crept in where there was not the market for all the products. Thus the amalgamation came about to eliminate this. The amalgamation had been looked upon as a combination of financial interests to exploit the public. In answer to that, Mr. Fletcher stated that the price of bricks had already been reduced by 5s a thousand, and a further reduction might be made at the ' end of the first 12 months. Mr. Baildon complimented the company on the representative gathering of businessmen present. He was pleased to see that the brickmakers of the country had amalgamated. The example of work in the office was an eye-opener to him. He did not know that Auckland could turn out such a fine line as that displayed. In officially declaring the offices open, he congratulated the firm on its finely-appointed premises and hoped that the combination would put the industry on a firm footing. Air. Fletcher made Air. Baildon a presentation of a mug and two little “glasses” made in clay, as an example of what could be made out of Auckland clay besides ordinary bricks. The guests were then conducted through the offices, after which refreshments were provided. Among those present were: Air. J. S. Fletcher, M.P., Air. 11. E. Vaile, Air. I George Hutchinson (president of the Auckland Rotary Club), Air. J. A. C. Allum (chairman of the Auckland Transport Board), Air. H. T. Alerritt (president of the Chamber of Commerce), Mr. C. Bohringer (architect for the Civic Theatre), and Messrs. J. C. Entrican, J. Owen, L. J. Stevens, T. Aliller, C. F. Gardner, W. Ockleston, J. S. Ockleston, A. O. Gardner, H. Luke, W. S. Alderson, J. Gentles, H. R. Alackenzie and G. Winstone. The executive of the Auckland Builders’ Association was represented by Alessrs. N. Cole, V. A. Coyle, J. 11. Hutchison, C. J. Bishop and R. G. Norton. Air. W. A. Phillips, the firm’s general manager. Air. H. W. Tidman. seci retary, and Air. A. C. Alar tin. late president of the Chamber of Commerce. | and representatives of the Architects’ and Civil Engineers’ Associations, were also present. Air. Fletcher announced that an order had been placed with the company that day for 2,000,000 bricks for the new theatre to be built on the | Civic Square. This represented the i largest single order for bricks ever [ placed in New Zealand*