Wright & Carmen's reply dated 21 March 1945 [electronic resource]

Wright & Carman's reply dated 21 March 1945.

WRIGHT & CARMAN, LIMITED
General Printers and Publishers
177-179 Vivian Street
Wellington
C.1
POSTAL ADDRESS:
BOX 1361, G.P.O
TELEPHONE:
56-700 (2 LINES)
   21st March, 1945

The City Enginer,
Wellington City Corporation,
WELLINGTON   C.1.

Dear Sir
   In support of our application, attached to erect a new factory
building at the corner of Vivian and Walter Streets, we wish to put
before you, for the information of the Building Controller, the
following submissions as to the real urgency of our applications:-

• (1) New Factory previously postponed: Plans and specifications
  for the new building were first drawn up early in 1941. Owing to
  War conditions the project was held over, and an old wooden house was
  temporarily adapted to our needs for extra space.
  
• (2) Converted house unfit for further use: The converted house
  has proven most unsuitable from a production point of view, because of
  its dilapidated condition and serpentine lay-out. In addition, it
  is hopelessly inadequate for our present needs. Nothing can be done
  to improve it. Having been built at least 75 years ago, it is dirty
  and insanitary, and we have had the greatest difficulty in properly
  heating it during the past three winters.
  
• (3) Inspection by Labour Department: When the old house was
  temporarily adapted to our needs in 1941, we were advised by the
  Inspector of Factories that they would not be prepared to register
  such premises as a factory in normal times. Now, as the result of
  a recent inspection, we have been notified that our premises are not
  satisfactory, and that a remedy must be found. A copy of the report
  of the Inspector of Factories is attached, and all his requirements
  are more than provided for in our new plans and specifications
  
• (4) Main factory building over-crowded: Our present main
  factory buidling was built 30 years ago, and in spite of several
  alterations to provide additional factory space, is dangerously
  congested in all departments, making for most unsatisfactory working
  conditions. In the meantime we have temporarily rented a paper
  store, but that has not remedied the congested conditions
  
• (5) Earthquake damage: Our existing main building suffered
  some damage in the 1942 earthquakes and is under notice for
  reinstatement, but the work is so bound up with the erection of the
  new building, which will give considerable support to the present
  structure, that repairs are still held over.
  
• (6) Expansion of business: Our business has shown a steady
  expansion over many years, having been established for 45 years, and
  the rate of expansion has been accelerated in the last six years
  by the development of manufactures as a result of import
  restrictions. But for the War, expansion would have been even
  greater than it has been, man-power shortages having curbed it.
  
• (7) Rehabilitation: At the present moment our business
  is working beyond the limits of its reasonable capacity, and we
  are consistently turning work away owing to our inability to
  handle more. Yet we have a responsibility to rehabilitate those
  of our male and female staff who are in the armed forces, but
  cannot do so until we have new and larger premises.
  
• (8) Type of structure: You will see that the type of
  building provided for in our plans and specifications is a
  straight-forward three-storey structure in reinforced concrete
  throughout. Consequently the demand upon skilled labour, timber
  and journey are at a minimum compared with the size of the building.
  

   It will be clear from the fore-going that our need of
larger and better premises is a matter of real urgency. We
trust that you will give this application your careful consideration
in order that we may put the work in hand without delay. Should
there be any further information which you may require, or should
you wish to make an inspection of our premises, we shall be only
too glad to meet your requirements.

   Thanking you in anticipation,
   We are,
   Yours faithfully,
   WRIGHT & CARMAN, LIMITED.