SHIPBUILDING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 299, 19 December 1945, Page 6

SHIPBUILDING

ADVANCE IN DOMINION MARINE DEPARTMENT’S ACTIVITIES Wellington, Dec. 17 He had been amazed at the activities of the Marine Department during the war, said Mr. C. H. Chapman, M.P., addressing the New Zealand Institute of Marine and Power Engineers at. the annual social gathering of the Wellington branch on Saturday night. No fewer than 314 vessels, of a value of more than £4,000,000, had been built in New Zealand. Included in that number were five vessels for the Fijian Government. “While some of the craft were small others were fairly large, and few people in the Dominion appreciate the magnitude of the task,” said Mr. Chapman, who added that repairs effected through the Department approximated another £2,000,000. But for the Mercantile Marine there would have been no British Empire; in the last war, as in others, its personnel performed most valuable service without any thought of glamour or of the fate that awaited so many sailors. Despite heavy casualties, the service had performed its duty, and the people of New Zealand had much to thank it for.

Mr. A. Tough, chairman of the local branch, presided over a large attendance and read an apology for nonattendance from the Prime Minister. There had been tremendous advances in the engineering industry since the outbreak of the last war, he said, and greater developments could be expected. “We are even told that the piston will soon bee a thing of ♦ th past,” he said. For the first time for years homes would be filled with song and good cheer this Christmastide, but he appealed to members not to forget those families who had lost loved ones in the service of their country. During the evening the chairman presented the institute’s emblem to Mr. H. McDougall for distinguished service on the executive. Reference was also made to the impending retirement of M. R. G. Huggins, station engineer at Evans Bay power station, a prominent member of the institute for many years.

Commenting upon industrial developments in the Dominion, Mr. A. L. Ogilvy emphasised the dependence of the farming community upon engineers. In 1921, he said, there were only 456 electric motors in the Dominion, while to-day they numbered 65,699. Internal combustion engines had advanced from 15,685 in 1921 to 23,882. Agricultural tractors had increased from 380 that year to 13,967 in 1943. To-day there were 31,487 milking plants, as against 10,450 in 1921. Shearing plants had increased similarly from 5354 to 11,550.

“This is but one indication of the enormous development of the engineering profession in New Zealand,” said Mr. Ogilvy, who added that firms who had mass produced ruring the war years would now have an opportunity of manufacturing articles that previously had been imported. He hoped that the British markets would not be restricted, so far as the Dominion was concerned, but. that New Zealnders should buy from the Mother land rather than from the United States.

i It was significant, that all orders for the Union Company’s new vessels had been placed in the United Kingdom. Those vessels, on their visits to the Dominion, would require servicing, and that would be to the advantage of New Zealand.

Mr. Ogilvy commented upon the fact that the Government’s intentions regarding the report of the Royal Commission which investigated the apprenticeship question in New Zealand had not yet been announced. Young men who were not fully trained were being pushed into the industry, and it was hai ci for them to compete with experienced men.

An appeal for the professional recognition of marine engineers was made by Mr. Ogilvy, .who said that similar recognition had been extended to them in other countries. The time had arrived when increased status should be given them. “This question of apprentices is a very serious one indeed,” said Mr. D. Jamieson, who alluded to the lack of youths in such avenues as boilermaking, blacksmithing, and coppersmith work. “Any number are offering for the engineering side,” he said, “but we cannot get the others.” One of the causes, he believed, was that there was no instruction for boilermakers, coppersmiths and blacksmiths (nor for shipwrights) in the technical colleges. “If those subjects were taught,” he added, “we might get better results.”

definition of a bookmaker. The magistrate considered that, the police had proved their case as defendant had admitted taking bets in a small way. Whale was convicted and fined £3O and costs 10s. Traffic Regulations Mr. C. M. Horniblow, traffic inspector, prosecuted Ivan James Field for failing to keep to the left of the road. There was no appearance of defendant, who was fined £2 and costs. Ben Bullock and Co., Ltd., pleaded guilty to using a vehicle without number plates and were fined £2 10s and costs 12s. For using a vehicle with number plates partly obscured, David Shepherd was fined £2 and costs 11s. Reserved Judgment The magistrate delivered a reserved judgment in the case of the food controller v. S. Andrews, on the following charges: (1) Did make omission in returns furnished to the national controller and (2) failing to disclose that he had acquired meat over and above the meat he was supposed to acquire under the authorities granted to him on that behalf. On each charge defendant was convicted and fined £2O with costs amounting Io £8 7s. Discrepancies in the first quarter were 62 head of cattle, six vealers and 46 lambs and in the second quarter 57 cattle, 10 vealers, two sheep and 54 lambs. Failure to Clear Gorse Mr. J. Robinson, noxious weeds inspector, prosecuted Arthur G. E. Dewson with failing to comply with a notice to clear gorse on his property at Wangaehu. There was no appearance of defendant, who was fined £5 and costs 10s. Possession of Houses Miss M. I. McDonald sued Chas. Bright for possession of a house and an order was made for possession to be given on or before January 31, 1946, unless all arrears of rent, costs, and all current rents are paid before that date. Decision was reserved in the case of D. and B. Thompson for possession of a house occupied by J. Jobberns. CIVIC THEATRE The management of the Civic Theatie wish to advise picturegoers that matinees will be screened during the holiday season as follows: Christmas Eve, December 24, “Sheepdog of the Hills”; Boxing Day, “I Love a Soldier”; New Year's Day, “The Maltese Falcon,’’ and Wednesday, January 2, “Thunderhead, Son of' Flicka.” All matinees are at 2 p.m. R.S.A. QUEEN CARNIVAL In the combined R.S A. Queen Carnival, Miss Rangitikei (Bulls) is leading with 5200 votes, followed by Miss Sanson 3200, Miss Turakina 2960, and Miss Rongotea 1600 votes. The amount, collected to date is £162 and £lOOO is the target aimed at.