SHOES FOR CHILDREN

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 January 1944, Page 3

SHOES FOR CHILDREN

FACTORY AT GREYMOUTH

Expected to produce 2000 pairs ol children's shoes and sandals a week when in full production with a stall ol 40 to 45, Peters’ Shoe Factory, which commenced operations on January 4 in Guinness Street, Greyrnouth, was officially opened this morning by the Mayor (Mr F. A. Kitchingham), when the proprietor, Mr P. C. Peters, was congratulated on his enterprise in meeting an urgent demand for juvenile footwear. At present the staff consists of 14 persons, all but two men being juniors and without experience, so that so far production is low, but the addition of two more experienced hands, including a clicker, would increase the output to 500 pairs a week. Housed in the former Oddfellows’ Hall, the factory is an example of airiness and neatness. All 1 umes and refuse from the leather are taken away by suction. Adequate lighting is provided, and there is room lor the addition of other machines which it is hoped to obtain later.

The process of manufacture was explained in detail to a “Star” representative by Mr Peters. Machines exist to stamp out soles, heels, and uppers according to size—at present the range is only lour sizes, but it is intended to bring in seven other sizes eventually; others prepare the soles for stitching. The uppers are hand-cut to pattern, but the acquisition of yet another machine will sliced up production in that department. Designs are stamped out on the uppers in a single process, and various other machines shave and prepare the leather for stitching and the application of buckles. Eyelets are in short supply at present, and lace-up shoes will not be manufactured in the meantime. One ingenious piece of apparatus stitches the upper to the sole, tacks being directed to the point of application in two channels, metal grips holding the leather like human fingers. Burnishing, sewing, and the application of heels are all performed mechanically, the only hand processes being the blacking of the soles and packing into cardboard boxes. The facl lory has been granted a license to manufacture, and no difficulty is expected in securing’ sufficient supplies of leather.