THE COACH BUILDERS

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14658, 6 May 1913, Page 10

THE COACH BUILDERS

Hnznrding an intelligent rruoss one would say thnt the coach-building business has been hit hard by tho advent of tho -motor-car, but statistics only boar out this assertion to a certain extent. The industry in New Zealand, whilo it is not losing ground, is standing where it was. The official figures lor 190-3 and 1910, dealing with Canterbury, differ very little as far as concern tho number of works and the men employed. Tho Dominion in 1900 possessed 160 of these works, in 1905 it had 183. and in 1910 the number was three less than in 1905.

In Canterbury in 1900 there were 20 coach-building establishments in operation, employing 200 hands, who drew £13,638 in wages. The figures for 190-j showed that the number of establishments had not increased or decreased, while nine more hands were employed, and the- amount paid away in wages had jumped to £15.757. The statistics of 1910 have very little to toll that is new. Tho number of works went up by three, but tho number of men engaged dropped back to 201. Tho wages bill •was still buoyant, and tho men drew £2\ ,958, over £0000 more than they did in 11*05. The cost of the materials used, like the wages bill, has been growing all the time. In 1900 it was £12.202, in 1905 itjvns £16,7.13, and in 1910 it was £23.435. There has also been a regular increase in the total valne of the manufactures (including repairs), the figures being:—l9oo, £32,834; 1905, £39 013----1910. £59,604. The province turned out in 191], 2 waggons. 32 drays, 33 spring carts, 2 carriages. 100 dogcarts, gigs, and sulkies, 5 expresses, and 331 vehicles of various kinds.

As showing in some manner the early growth of the industry in this province, the statistics of 1890 may bo quoted. The total number of works in New Zealand was then 108 (as against 89 in ISSS), and out of these 32 were in Canterbury. These 32 establishments employed 17S workers, who drew in wages £12,800. The value of the manufactures (including repairs) was £$.735, the iWw Zealand total being £139,660. Canterbury then was easily the largest conch-building province in tho Dominion. .

Recent trade returns are of some interest, showing that the New Zealand manufactured carriages exported in the year 1911 were:—2s ordinary carriages valued at £.547, 139 drays, carts and waggons valued at £1711, and three of those useful articles, perambulators and go-carts, valued at £5.