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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 3, Issue 3 (July 2, 1928)

The Building

The Building.

On first entering the main building to which the library and apprentices' room are annexes, one is impressed by its roominess. The social hall, capable of seating up to 500 persons, is all that such a hall should be, and the ventilation and lighting are all that could be desired. A roomy stage occupies one end, and leading from it are comfortable little dressing rooms for the performers, whilst adjoining the entrance are commodious and well-appointed cloak rooms.

Fairmont section trolley, which underwent successful trials in the Weka Pass (Canterbury) recently. The car is equipped with a six h.p. ball-bearing engine, water cooled. Carrying six men and hauling a load of 7 cwts. in a material trolley behind, speeds of 18 and 20 miles per hour (on a grade of 1 in 50, with a petrol consumption of 30 miles per gallon) were attained by this car.

Fairmont section trolley, which underwent successful trials in the Weka Pass (Canterbury) recently. The car is equipped with a six h.p. ball-bearing engine, water cooled. Carrying six men and hauling a load of 7 cwts. in a material trolley behind, speeds of 18 and 20 miles per hour (on a grade of 1 in 50, with a petrol consumption of 30 miles per gallon) were attained by this car.

Opening off the social hall is the dining room with accommodation for at least 300 diners, and here, although any attempt at decoration has been dispensed with, comfort and convenience are very evident. Attached to this room is a spacious kitchen, where, eventually, all appliances for the preparation of hot meals will be installed, and, in addition, for the convenience of the kitchen hands, three sinks with hot and cold water, a large plate-drying rack, and numerous dish cupboards and shelves are fitted. A large dumb-waiter running the full width of the kitchen, leads into the dining room.

The library, from a humble beginning, has now grown into such dimensions that it could serve a good-sized city, and the new room which now houses its 15,000 volumes is admirably suited for the purpose. Ample shelf accommodation for as many books again is provided, and a roomy bay at one end provides a quiet retreat where one can study the latest periodicals and newspapers of which the library carries a good stock. The librarian's desk is placed in a convenient position in the centre of the building, so that those wishing to borrow books pass around the shelves on entering, and, having selected what they require, return by way of the desk, thus preventing confusion. The room is particularly well lighted, and large sky-lights assure a plentiful supply of fresh air. In addition to the volumes on the shelves, a reference library contains a small but carefully chosen selection of technical works.

The apprentices' instruction room, which adjoins the library, is also roomy and brilliantly lighted, and is well equipped with the necessary models and drawings, so that instructor and pupil may work with every advantage in their favour.

The social hall was packed on the occasion of the official opening, the Workshops manager, Mr. J. M. Graham, presiding. There were also present:—Messrs. T. K. Sidey, M.P., J. Horn, M.P., R. W. Hall (Mayor of St. Kilda), G. S. Lynde (Chief Mechanical Engineer of Railways), E. T. Spidy (Superintendent of Workshops) and W. B. M'Ewan (city librarian).

Mr. Graham extended a welcome to those present, and briefly reviewed the events leading up to the erection of the building. Whilst, he said, the shops were being reorganised, the comfort and welfare of the employees had not been overlooked, and, having in mind the fact that better results were obtained from a satisfied staff, the present building had been erected. Employees were thus supplied with food for the body, food for the mind, and means for social enjoyment.

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In officially declaring the building open, Mr. Taverner said that it was with great pleasure that he assisted in such a function. He looked on the occasion as being an historic one and one which was made possible by the new spirit which had crept into industry, and a building of such a type, he considered, was an indication of the Government's appreciation of the work of its employees. He trusted that the building would fulfil all the hopes which had been centred on it, and that it would be a social centre for all departments, where a happy blend of industry and culture would be provided.

Mr. Sidey said he was pleased to see that the Department, when it decided on the reconstruction of Hillside, had not forgotten the social and intellectual side of its employees' lives. He trusted that they would spend many happy hours in their new hall, and by so doing derive much benefit.

There was a big idea behind the Department's policy in providing such a building for its employees, said Mr. Spidy. There was no philanthropy in the movement, but the idea being built into the whole workshops scheme, was that apart from providing better working conditions in the shops themselves, the health of the men should be taken into account. In the workshops, proper washing facilities, drinking fountains, and receptacles for the workmen's clothes were being provided, with a view to raising the standard of working conditions, and in this respect, he considered it as much the Department's duty to provide such amenities for the men as to provide them with proper facilities and tools to work with. In regard to the library, the committee was to be congratulated
The elevation of the new social hall, dining room, library and apprentices' instruction room, recently opened at Hillside Workshops, Dunedin.

The elevation of the new social hall, dining room, library and apprentices' instruction room, recently opened at Hillside Workshops, Dunedin.

on what it had accomplished, and it was to be hoped that it received the support it merited. Hillside's reputation had always been a good one, concluded the speaker, and he, personally, looked on a man from Hillside as among the best in the service. He looked to the men to maintain that reputation.

Mr. Lynde, in the course of his speech referred to the sleeping car which was on view at the Exhibition, and which was built at Hillside under the most adverse conditions. Notwithstanding this, he received the wholehearted and loyal support of the men in the Hillside shops, and to them he was grateful.

There was no question that the department had the men. He pointed out that the Government had sunk a huge amount of money in building what would be, when completed, probably the finest railway workshops in the world, and he appealed to the men who were thus being given ideal conditions to work under, to reciprocate and give of their best. He had come in contact with workmen all over the world, and in his opinion the New Zealand craftsman was equal to any. He trusted that they would long enjoy the benefits of the new building.

During the evening a programme of instrumental and vocal items was presented, outstanding in which were the numbers rendered by the Hillside Orchestra, which, although a comparatively newly-formed combination, played in a manner which was little below professional standard.

At the conclusion of the function, Mr. Hall moved a hearty vote of thanks to the performers, which was carried by acclamation. The hall was then cleared, and an enjoyable dance was held.—(Otago “Daily Times.”)