New Toy Factory Opened Yesterday

Northern Advocate, 6 September 1947, Page 5

New Toy Factory Opened Yesterday

Yesterday afternoon a bullet luncheon. attended by the Mayor of Whangarei (Mr W. Jones), representatives of local bodies and members of the public was held in the staff cafeteria at Lines Bros (N.Z.), Ltd. The managing director of the Auckland branch (Mr Dudley Chambers) and the general manager (Mr E. C. Owen) welcomed visitors and outlined the policy and objects of the firm. Mr Jones spoke of the importance to the town of having such an industry in the district. The Whangarei factory is a branch of the Auckland firm, itself a branch of the English firm, which operates the largest toy factory in the world. The firm has been operating in Whangarei for 12 months. The new premises in Walton Street, which were opened at the function, will require a staff of 150 to operate at full capacity. At present the firm employs 90, mostly machinists. CLOTHING, TOYS The new factory incorporates a cafeteria and several departments occupied in producing women’s clothing and toys. Consideration has been given in the design for maximum ventilation and lighting. Materials not available in New Zealand are imported from England. Heads and faces for dolls are imported in the rough state, finished and hand-painted to a high standard in the local factory.

Land has been set aside for basketball courts, which will be used by the staff sports club.