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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 4, Issue 11 (June 1, 1930)

The Social Aspect

The Social Aspect.

While the shops are run upon strictly business lines in keeping with modern psychological findings, the social side, with its enormous reaction on shop life, has not been neglected. Mention has been made of the grounds.
(Photo, A. P. Godber.) The heater pipe system in course of erection at the Hutt Valley Workshops, Wellington.

(Photo, A. P. Godber.)
The heater pipe system in course of erection at the Hutt Valley Workshops, Wellington.

The promise of park-like surroundings is finding fulfilment. Native trees, flower beds and trim lawns are in evidence. The maintenance work is done by the employees who have also provided the material. The underlying factor that, what is provided by the hands will be appreciated by them, is recognised by the Works Manager who stimulates out-of-door activities. Nor is the fact lost sight of that such effort has a personal reflection in workshop practice. Granted that conditions under which the work is performed are pleasing, the “job” must also be superior. This is simply an emotional or aesthetic aspect which, although not always objectively measurable, is as true as the statement that poor shops invariably produce poor work. The men hastening to catch the train provided, free of cost, to take them to their city homes, use paths and avoid “short cuts.” The sward is unbroken by tracks; woe betide he who seeks to walk across the grass. “He who runs may learn” that the paths are the places on which to move. There is much civic and social training resulting from this outlook which must be reflected in pride of craftsmanship.

The next article will discuss the other social aspects of the shops, with their bearing upon interrelationships.