GOVERNOR=GENERAL’S VISITS

Hawera Star, Volume L, 26 July 1930, Page 6

GOVERNOR=GENERAL’S VISITS

PETONE FACTORIES INSPECTION OF TOR AGO AND MOTOR WORKS. Wearing; a. coat manufactured from material manufactured by the Petone Woollen Miilfe His Excellency the Gov-enor-General (Lord Bfiedisloe), accompanied by Lady Rledislce and. party, recently paid ibis first official visit to Petone. Met by the Mayor. .Mr G. McKenzie, members of the. Borough Council and Mr W. Nash, M.P., they proceeded' on foot, through the 20 OU children who lined the streets out both sides. Wreathed in smiles and! on tiptoe with excitement as lie passed, they gave hearty cheers. Before lie drove off to visit the industrial works His Excellency asked the Mayor that the dhi'idiron be given a school holiday. For almost an hour His Excellency stayed, at the tobacco factory of W.J>. and H.O. Wills, N.Z., Ltd., where over 300 hands are employed. All phases, of the industry were ,unfolded; tio him and to those with hi,in, and frequently Lord and; Lady Bledlisloe entered into conversation with the girls who were, operating the machines. From the tobacco factory the. party proceeded to General Motors. New Zealand, Limited, factory, which is adjacent to the plant of W. D. and 11. O. Wills. They were welcomed at the entrance by the managing director. Mr W. McHardr Forman and members of the staff and at once began their inspection of the huge plant which employs 500 men and! women Vand occupies an area of five acres.

Motor-car building in all its phases was. explained to His Excellency by experts as they (passed from operation to operation and the cars literally grew together under the. eyes of the visitors. From big steaming vats into which grew so-covered panelling was immersed for cleansing purposes to the endl of the dine when the cars drove off under their own power every .process was followed with interest by His Excellency and Lady Bledisloe. Their Excellencies were extremely interested to see New Zealand fabrics being made, into upholstery for the various; cars built at the works.’ A Maori girl from the upholstery department presented! Lady Bledlsler 'with a. beautiful bouquet, and 1 when the party filed outside Their Excellencies were .photographed! in the midst oi thei office staff and TT-iis Excellency also in the midst of the employees in the works itself. As they drove off three hearty cheers were given for Lord Riedisloe .and three also for Lady Riedisloe.