NATIONAL EFFICIENCY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9621, 29 March 1917, Page 2

NATIONAL EFFICIENCY

APPEAL TO LOCAL BODIES APPROVED BY WELLINGTON HARBOUR BOARD, REPORTS BY ENGINEER AND SECRETARY. “That this hoard desires to express its hearty approval of the objects aimed at by the National Efficiency Board, and resolves to assist those objects by the best means in its power. “The board also resolves to adopt the reports of its engineer and secretary relative to the economisation of works and labour in connection with the above matter and directs that copies of the reports and of this resolution be forwarded to the chairman of the National Efficiency Board.” The above resolutions were passed unanimously by the Wellington HarbourBoard last night, on the motion of the chairman (Mr 0. E. Dauieli), who said that tho board would, he was sure, wish to do all they could to assist the National Efficiency Board in their useful and important work. The motion was seconded by Mr A. McFarlane, and supported by Mr H. L. Nathan, who said that, in view of the letter from the Efficiency Board and tho reports of tho Harbour Board s secretary and engineer, ho considered the time not opportune for proceeding the motion standing in his name: —“That tenders be called forthwith for the erection of the Te Aro w'harf, east of Taranaki street wharf, to bo built in timber m lieu of ferro-conorete, as suggested by the engineer; in his annual report, October, 1916,” Permission was accordingly. granted for the withdrawal of tho motion. , ' , The resolutions passed by the Harbour Board had reference to the circular letter recently issued to local authorities by the Efficiency Board asking each of them to obtain for the use of the board “a special report from your engineer, or other responsible officer, dealing 'vitn any matters that may be within his knowledge which would tend to increased efficiency in the district under your control, both at tho present time and in tiie future.” The Efficiency Board especially desired to know how far works of maintenance, up-keep and repair, new works, or proposals for new works could be reduced, or postponed (or, if desirable, expedited) so ns to render available the services of men for other purposes, and also to what extent women’s labour could be substituted tor that of men. THE ENGINEER’S REPORT. With regard to works of maintenance, up-keep, and repairs, the Harboui Board engineer (Mr J. Marchbanks) reported : . j “The amount spent on repairs and maintenance for the. year ended oeptoniber 30th, 1916, was £16,511 0s 2d, compared with £20,102 9s 3d toi Dm previous year, a reduction or £ooai ° 3 Id. The principal maintenance worics of the Board comprise, (a) the maintenance of timber structures including buildings and wharves, (b) maintenance of brick and concrete structures (o maintenance of plant and machinery, ( ) maintenance of dredging machinery. “The maintenance - of the various timber structures involves the employment of a considerable number of c f r P(jnters (principally wharf carpenters), skilled labourers, • blacksmiths, palmers ami plumbers. It is necessary to keep the various structures in good order especially the portions of the wharves bmw h gh water mark, otherwise they quickly ourers engaged on timber structures can time being lost to the concrete card to maintaining buck ana c structures, one bnck ayei - a* ourer are employed itgnffirrt ?harany n of a can ba disPoDSed "’maintenance OF PLANT AND • MACHINERY. ; Th ilnri o derabl?nunrtor^rt^fm» ; SS IWS fwhicli required overhaul) chipped and tarred The m©n engaged on this work can be spared after .the Whakanre has been slipned and painted, tome of the men will in course of time be called up foe service but I think, after allowing for tho maintenance of all the main portions of tho plant and machinery and assuming that little or no new work will to undertaken, the following might be snared from the maintenance ot plant and machinery:—One fitter (certificated engineer), one enginedriver, one boilermaker, one striker, one fireman, five labourers. If later it was decided that only such men as aro essential to keel) the plant and machinery running were to be retained and the remainder made available for other work, possibly another eight men could be spared for the time being. The dredge Whakanro is now laid up and onlv such men as are required to. keep the dredge in order are now employed. I had intended to undertake some fairly extensive repairs on the hopper of the dredge, but owing to the difficulty of obtaining sufficient skilled labour just now it will be advisable to postpone this work in tho meantime. NEW WORKS. The Efficiency Board asked(l) How far such works can bo expedited towards completion? (2) How far they can be earned to a 'efficient partial completion as to warrant suspension? (3) Whether they can be completely postponed until after peace is declared when labour will be plentiful and materials cheaper, and generally what labour could thereby be released? To which the engineer replied:—“The practice of ih© board has in the past been to call tenders ' for all of the larger works, the labour for which has to be turnisiied by the contractor. During the past 12 to 18 months the following contracts were completed, viz,—Additions to Wellington-Lyttelton ferry wharf, additions to Z store, additions to Day’s Bay wharf The only other contract now in progress is that for the provision and erection of freezing machinery fot the board's cheese store. This contract cannot be stopped or postponed. Further, when it is completed there will still be a considerable amount of work to be executed by the board in connection with the insulation of the batteries and buildings and the construction of air trunks before the machinery will be available for cooling. This work cannot ■ be undertaken until the various floors have been cleared of cheese.” “With regard to other new works in hand, a certain amount of work has been done in connection with the new Pipitea wharf, including preparation of plant, making reinforced concrete piles, and driving some of them. It was in-

tended to use up all the available steel in hand and drive about fifty more ox the piles. If. however, it is considered desirable the work can be stopped and, say four labourers and two carpenters released after about four months. A small amount of work is yet to be done at the north end of the Waterloo quay breastwork. This I think should be completed. In connection with the Waterloo quay reclamation, several sections have recently been let to companies engaged in the primary industries of tho Dominion, and there is an obligation on the board to complete the roads adjoining The work cannot be postponed.” PBOPOSALS FOB NEW WOBKS.£3OO,OOO INVOLVED.

"The board has approved of the following works, viz.—(D Pipitea whaif and sheds; (2) Te Aro wharf and sheds; (3) additions to ‘U’ shed and installation of electric travelling overhead cranes; (4) installation of overhead electric travelling cranes in King’s wbart sheds. Nos. 1,2, and 3; (5) alteration and additions to ‘H’ and 0 sheds, Oueeu’s wharf, and installation of electric cranes; (6) installation of electric cranes in ‘Y’ shod; (7) brick store, Taranaki and Cable streets; (8) itpa gates and fencing northward from J shed; (9) new office accommodation for office staff; (10) store building for boards general stores. These works involve the expenditure of considerably over *£300,000, but the policy of the board for some considerable time past has been to postpone the construction of all new works that can possibly be done without until after the conclusion of the war. ’Working drawings are now ready tor the Pipitea wharf, the Te Aro wharf, and the Taranaki street store, and drawings have been prepared of the other works mentioned, so that as soon as labour and material are available tlie contracts can be proceeded "As to schemes for desirable works, the engineer added, "this subject is to some extent covered by the proposal for now works, but in addition some work has been done in connection with a scheme for further reclamations and extension of wharfage accommodation. I think, however, that the _ works outlined above will provide quite as much work as the board will be able to undertake at the conclusion- of the war. With regard bo the employment of women, I do not think that women would be suitable for work on and about the wharves in connection with the maintenance of plant and machinery or structures, but women, if available, might be employed on lighter work, such as handling stores, drilling, oiling and greasing in the engine-room, and work of a like nature. There have been no recent retirements of elderly men amongst the officers and men under my direction, although several of them still employed are now past the retiring age."

THE SECRETARY'S REPORT. The secretary (Mr H. E. Nicholls) reported as follows with regard to the extent to which women workers could be substituted for men in the board's operations;— “I. Secretary and Accountant's Clerical Staff (about 46 members). —The board has from the- commencement of the war filled vacancies caused by war enlistments with female labour, returned soldiers and military ineligibles, and it is intended to follow this course to the end. " 11. Traffic Manager’s Department (about 200 members). —This Department comprises ■ tally clerks, 1 ■ tolls clerks, weighbridge keepers, storemen, permanent labourers, and all others, engaged ip. either clerical or manual labour connected with the receiving and, delivery of cargo inwards and outwards and the control of wharf traffic. It is con sidered by the traffic manager that bo could use women labour partially for: Tolls arid barrier duties, weighbridges, weighing and marking wool, etc., tallying (under supervision). Customs examination and bond marking, etc., statistical work and’tittie^keeping. " 111., Harbour -.-Master’s .Department (28 members).""(a) Pilot Service.—Under the . law only master mariners can hold pilots’ licenses. "(b) Harbour Master’s Boatmen.This work involves skilled nautical knowledge and physical strength of A.B. standard. . "(c) Signalmen at V. ' nrf and Signal ' Stations.—Only men oi long sea-faring experience are employee in these positions, and in the opinion of the harbourmaster it would be hazardous to replace them by less experienced work-

GTS.” "IV. General. —From • the beginning of the war the board has, by paying halfpay to all its permanent employees on military service and by keeping their positions open, done all in its power to encourage enlistments. This policy has resulted to date in over sixty members joining the forces, classified as follow: From engineer's department, 16; from secretary and accountant's department, 18; from traffic manager’s department, 27; from harbourmaster’s department, 1; total, 62. "With reference to the questions raised by the chairman of the Efficiency Board (1) as to the wives pnd female relatives of men in the Second Division being approached with a. view to their filling temporary vacancies, and (2) as to the recalling to duty of officers retired on superannuation. I would suggest that the board affirms its approval of both courses as a matter of principle, leaving the special application thereof to its chairman and executive officers as the particular need arises. The retired list at present comprises twelve names, and of these probably not more than half could be considered as fit or available for resumption of active duty."