BRITISH ENTERPRISE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1789, 7 November 1919, Page 8

BRITISH ENTERPRISE.

A NEW DEPARTURE. MR DUNCAN~F. BAUCHOP INTERVIEWED. Those who are somewhat inclined to bewail the reputed apathy of ffie British manufacturer in responding to the call for closer co-operation with his colonial trade will welcome the enterprise of Leyland's, the great British firm of motor lorry builders. It is now announced that Leyland's have opened a branch in Wellington —the first branch, as distinct from an agency, that has been established by any motor traction firm in New Zealand.

Mr Duncan F. Bauchop, 8.E., A.M.lnst. C.E., A.M.I. Mec.E., is general manager for New Zealand. Interviewed the other day by a representative, Mr Bauchop gave an outline of the Leyland's "bit" in the war. The Royal Air Force, to take one branch of the Army, was com : pletely equipped with Leylands, utilising over 6700 lorries. Other branches of the service, as well as the Admiralty, took a great many more Leylands for war-rime purposes. The firm are also contractors to many Government departments, as well as to colonial and foreign Governments. The municipalities of the principal British cities are extensive users of Leyland lorries.

It will interest many people to know that all the transport of the household of his Majesty the King is Leyland. A rather remarkable instance of the confidence which the firm has in the quality of its own trucks is illustrated in the fact that only one spare back axle is being stocked for Australia and New Zealand combined, and Leyland's do not expect ever to use that. Never in the history of the firm has a Leyland back axle given way. The first Leyland to reach New Zealand since the outbreak of war has just arrived in Christchurch. It was purchased by Messrs Munt, Cottrell and Co., Ltd., the wellknown Wellington carriers, but they have very considerately allowed Leyland's to bring this model to Christchurch for demonstration at the Olvmpia Motor Exhibition. Readers will no doubt see the first postwar Leyland in the city streets next week.

Further supplies for the Dominion are on the way, and, although a good many of these have already been sold, it is anticipated that, at a very earlv date, the company will be able to fill new orders here. Leylands already enjoy a very high reputation in New Zealand amongst those who have been fortunate enough to own one. There can be no question that the sturdy British quality of this lorry will very soon develop a very keen demand throughout the country. Every New Zealander who was in France is familiar with the Leyland, and has seen its performances all over that shell-torn war area. There are very few "Diggers" who have not at some time or another ridden in a Leyland. The Leyland works arc, without exception, the largest organisation devoted exclusively to motor lorry building in Creat Britain. The number of employees exceeds 2500. At the works there is a canteen, which accommodates 2000 individuals din- j ing at once. This canteen was established and organised during the war, at a cost of £30,000, and every operation in preparing food, cooking and serving it is effected by machinerv. Levland's also have their own steel works, equipped with the most modern tvpe of electric furnaces, so that they' can blend their own steel to suit the special stresses to which a lorrv is subjected. In Mr Duncan F. Bauchop, the general manager for New Zealand, the company are fortunate in having to represent them a thoroughly qualified engineer, whose advice to purchasers of the lorries will be distinctly valuable. Mr Bauchop is a New Zealander, who was resident in Christchurch from 1908 until the outbreak of war. During that period he was associated with Professor Scott at Canterbury College, where he took his B:E. degree. He was also lecturer on motor engineering at the Technical College, and was, too. a well-known figure in college athletics. In 1914 Mr Bauchop went Home to England and offered his services for war work in Great Britain. During the war period he occupied several positions of importance on the Admiralty Staff, ranging from the Department of Munitions to the Roval Naval College at Osborn, then" to * Portsmouth, and the Firth of Forth, after which he took up a position as assistant-manager of submarine mine depots, whence he was promoted to be technical adviser on submarine mining to Admiral Field, director of torpedoes and mining. After the Armistice, Mr Bauchop toured for the Admiralty in search of accommodation for the Admiralty's mine stocks and other mining materials. Mr Bauchop returned to New Zealand a short time ago by the Athenic, and has established Leyland headquarters at Wellington. Later it is intended to open subsidiary branches at Christchurch, Auckland and Duncdin. A similar organisation is being established in Australia, with headquarters at Sydney. Mr Bauchop is at present visiling Christchurch, in connection with the Olvmpia Motor Exhibition, and is slaving with Mr 11. .1. Raphael. .71 '