CAR REPAIRS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22622, 9 January 1937, Page 10

CAR REPAIRS

RUSH AFTER HOLIDAYS ACTIVITY IN THE TRADE WORK AT FULL CAPACITY Jn at least one branch of business in the city the Christmas rush has been well maintained and, in some instances, oven increased, since the resumption of work after tho holidays. This is the motor repair trade, in which the present activity presents a reflex of the large number of motor accidents which occurred during the holiday period. Throughout this week firms specialising iri motor body building and repairs havo been working at high pressure, their business premises resounding to the din of the panel-beater's hammer. "It has been one of tho most remarkable periods I can remember," said the manager of one such •firm yesterday. "Hardly an hour has passed this week without a telephone call from an insurance company, giving instructions about a repair job. Smashed mudguards, dented bodywork and buckled bumpers have been the principal causes of complaint, and, with employees still absent on holidays, the rush of work lias been terrific." Shortage oi Labour It was not generally recognised, the manager continued, that even a comparatively minor dent in bodywork required considerable attention for adequate repairs to be effected. Panelbeating was a job for experts and in most cases painting was necessary after the panel-beater had finished his work. Although conditions over tho holiday period might havo been abnormal the natural increase in motor traffic brought with it an increase in tho repair business, and in some cases a shortage of skilled labour was becoming evident, especially as recent industrial legislation had imposed a very real barrier against the working of overtime.

The motor body firms are not tho only ones which have experienced a rush of business. Automobile engineers and electricians have also been working at high pressure since tho holidays and in some cases are forced to take more than a day.on jobs which normally' could be completed in a few hours. Mechanical Fitness A representative of one of these firms said it was surprising how many motorists had gone away on holiday tours without due regard to the mechanical fitness or the electrical equipment of their cars. Certainly many motorists had taken the precaution of having their cars overhauled before the holidays, but others had rot. with the result that there was an unusually heavy crop of mechanical and electrical faults which required attention. "Motorists generally are beginning to take notice of the warnings given by Mr. Semple," said another man interested in the motor repair trade yesterday. "They know that before long all cars on the road will be required to carry a certificate of mechanical fitness and many of them are taking no chances. Minor faults which a few months ago might have lieen repaired in a makeshift fashion are now being entrusted to skilled mechanics, and the result is bound to be a general improvement in the mechanical fitness of cars."