ONAKAKA IRON WORKS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20869, 11 May 1931, Page 5

ONAKAKA IRON WORKS.

BIG PIPE CONTRACT. WORK TO BE COMMENCED. In conscqonce of tlie changed attitudo of tlic union, Mr. J. A. Ileskett, late works manager for the Onakaka Iron and Steel Company, Limited, now in liquidation, will now be able to proceed with liis contract for the manufacture at t he works of pipes for the Wellington Gas Company. About 35 moil will lie started on work which will last lor five or six months. Scrap iron and the remainder of the iron in stock when the company went into liquidation will he used. .Mr. Ileskett savs it is likely that other contracts will follow the present one. When Mr. Ileskett first brought forward his scheme lie was held up by the attitude of the union, which passed a resolution refusing to work lor him or the company until arrears ol wages amounting to some £3500 were paid. Now they have agreed to assist tlio receivers to realise on the assets of the company and in consequence have rescinded their previous resolution.

The direct benefits of the carrying out of Mr. Ueskett's contract will be threefold—a number of local men will be given work, the carrying out of further contracts with similar benefits will be encouraged, and the work in Wellington of laying the pipes lo be made at Onakaka will engage about 200 of the unemployed. The contract is for a line of 24m. pipes for a big gas main in Wellington and the amount involved is approximately £IO.OOO. Mr. Jleskett will purchase tho iron from tho company. He states that there is at present sufficient iron at the works to supply the pipe and iron market for six months.