MASTERTON FARMERS' IMPLEMENT CO., LTD.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10654, 8 June 1912, Page 6

MASTERTON FARMERS' IMPLEMENT CO., LTD.

A PROGRESSIVE FIRM. Tilio .Mas'torton Farmers' implement (Jo., Ltd., may claim to rank among the important manufacturing industries of t'iio JNort.li Island of l\e\v Zealand. It lias now been in existence for two decades, and has established itself with the farmers cf ail parts of the Wellington Province. With the expansion of business and the grow- j ing requirements of the industry, it has been found necessary to provide j more extensive acommodation for tho firm. A few months back a tender was iet to Messrs Hose and Mason, builders and contractors, for the erection of new premises on the section of land extending between Perry Street and Lincoln Road, and situated a few yards beyond the Town Hall. These pro- ' mises have now been completed, and * are in the occupation of the firm. A representative of the "Age" paid a visit to the establishment a few days back, and was courteously received by the genial manager, Mr J. H. Pauling, who, though very busy in getting settled down in hi-.; .new home, fomnd time to show the reporter over the whole block of buildings. The main building, which is 19-1 ft ■in length, .by 40ft wide, with a stud of loft, is constructed in iron, with a ■brick wall on -the western side. On the eastern side there is a 15ft verandah, extending almost the full length cf the building, which affords shelter against the weather and storage .accommodation for implements, etc. There are five forges and two furnaces in the main building, one of the latter 'being used for tyring and the other for bending. wood-shop is situated at the northern end of the building, and is furnished with band saws, circular saws, planing machines, etc. Here a staff of men wiais employed constructing tho bodies of vehicles and generally performing the preliminary work of the' coachsmith and wheelwright. In the centre of the engineering department is a tyring machine, with a furnace lined with firebricks, so that damage by heat may be simply repaired. The 'engineering'department _ is equipped with two lathes, three boring machines, an iron saw, planing machine, grindstone, emery wheels, etc. New shafting, with .ring-oil bearings, lias been provided, and this is driven by a 33 horse-power Tangye gas engine of the latest type, set in a solid bed of concrete. The motive power is supplied by a. Tangye gas-producer, which, is both economical and effective. The engine, which has a selfstarter, runs as smooth as clock-work, a;nd besides .supplying the motive power for the whole of the works, controls a blast which furnishes tlje wind required for the furnaces. At the southern end of the building ' is a moulding shop, with a floor .space , \ of 40ft'by 35ft, which is furnished with an up-to-date and powerful crane, cuplo and brass furnaces, and a core, drying stove. An important addition has recently been made'to the equipment of the engineering department, by the installation of an "Acetone" welding plant. This enables the firm to weld castings of any material with efficiencyjand despatch. - ' In a detached building is a substantial timber rack, ■containing a heavy stock of well-seasoned Jiardwoods essential to the trade. Another rack corftains a good supply ©f..<'irqri, ■and a third k filled, y/ith ( steel., .*' , The offices, which are' conveniently arranged, are attached to an extensive store-room, in which is to be found all the accessories required for a modern engineering and wheelwrighting business. The racks are filled with •xlos, of all sizes, wooden spokes and rims, a large stock of felloes, hubs, shafts, springs, poles, etc. There is in stock five tons of bolts alone. In another portion of the store-room are to be found paints, oils, varnishes j carriage lambs, American leathers, etc. . ~..'■ The shoeing forge is situated in Lincoln! Road, and is in charge of Mr P. Smith. It is 35ft by 24ft in dimensions, and is well-lighted. The wind, required for the furniace is supplied by a patent fan. . .■'..■ The show-room faces.Perry Street, v%nd is 75ft long by 40ft wide, and behind it is an extensive storage shed for vehicles. The show-room contains vehicles made to order, and others awaiting repair. The repair shop is well-equipped, and is in charge «f capable workmen. The trimmer is Mr Clayton, and the painter Mr A. V. Faulkner. The paintsshop and varnish .room'are situated in the building which faces Perry Street. The firm is making a specialty of the painting and trimming of 'motor-oars, and when the reporter called he saw a car which had been overhauled, painted,/ a.nd made as good as new. ! It may safely be said that every department of the extensive business is now replete with the .requisites of the trade, and with a capable staff of

exports there should be no .necessity to go outside the district for anything required in the line. The Cha>irm;ui of Directors of ".ho Company (Mr \V. Perry) hits expressed , his entire satisfaction with the man- I ner in. which the new works have been , carried out, and the Secretary (Mr \V. B. Chemiells) has 'also commended the way in which the general monts'have been effected, it says much for the organisation of the staff hy Mr Pauling that not a day hits been lost in transferring the operations of the firm from one si to to the other. The machinery was erected ■under the 'supervision, of the engineer, Mr W. Foot, while the laying-out of tlie plant' Was performed in an exceedingly capable manner by Mr R. 1). Leach. The architect for the building was Mr If. A. .To-neu. Under the control of -a business-like Board of "Directors, .an efficient Secretary in Mr \Chcune,Us, ,*m energetic and painstaking manager in Mr .]. H. Pauling, and an experienced staff, there is reason to hope that the Mastcrtooi Farmers' Implement Company will occupy that place among the industries of the district which its undoubted importance deserves.