Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Monday 24 January 1938, page 12


FUNCTION AT KESWICK

Machinery Set In Motion

Members of the staff of T. J. Richards and Sons. Ltd., and other guests, in-cluding the Minister of Industry (Mr. Jeffries) and the Commissioner of

Public Works (Sir Herbert Hudd) were I entertained at a social held in the new staff hall at the factory to coincide with the ceremony in Melbourne, where the Prime Minister (Mr. Lyons), by press-ing a switch, set in motion the new £100.000 plant at the Keswick works. Mr. T. J. Richards presided, and others present were the Mayor and Mayoress or Unley <(Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Soutar). the chairman of the West Tor-rens Council (Mr. A. Burt) and Mrs. Burt, and Mr. Whitford, M.L.C. In opening the new staff social club hall Mr. Richards said that ihe com-pany was formed in 1916. and the .staff consisted of four. At present tne per-manent staff numbered about 150. The total number of employes was 3.280. with a weekly wage bill of about £13.667. It must be realised, said Mr. Rich-ards, that this big undertaking meant a great deal to the State, as. in add-tion to the direct employment which was given, there were many subsidiary companies that depended on the motor trade for business. As 90 per cent of the production went out of the State. it was easy to realise the enormous amount of employment occasioned in regard to carriers, wharf laborers, and shipping. The growth of the com-pany was due in no small measure to the co-operation and loyalty of the management and staff. Some of the staff had been with the firm since its incep-iion. In appreciation of such loyalty and assistance, the company had made available the new assembly hall for the staff. On behalf of the staff and the social club Mr. A. W. Hyde thanked the com pany for its gesture. | The guests had the unique experience '

of hearing the new plant set in motion : by wireless from Melbourne, after listening to broadcast speeches. As the new machinery was set in motion, the guests stood and sang "The Song of Australia." , Mr. Richards. replying by wireless to the speakers ar the Melbourne func-tion. thanked Mr Lyons for having inaugurated the programme of factory extensions. He said he was pleased to have with him that night his father. who had founded the firm as a car-riage and buggy works in 1885. T. J., Richards & Sons. L,td.. was the oldest and largest entirely Australian-owned motor body buiiding company in Aus-Iralia. In 1930 Ihe firm's turnover was less than £200.000, but had reached nearly £1.500.000 during the last finan-icial year. The companv felt that the |continued success of the industry de-pended upon road transport being per-ference, as volume production was were to supply motor vehicles at the present attractive prices. Mr. R. S. Harden, in a broadcast speech at the Melbourne function, pro posed the toast "State Governments." and the Premier (Mr. Butler) re-sponded. This completed the two-way broad-cast. Mr. P. O. Sheard proposed the toast of the "Visitors." and Mr. Jeffries responded. He referred to the great value of the motor body building in-dustry in South Australia, and con-gratulated T. J. Richards & Sons. Ltd. on its progress and enterprise. The guests then made an inspection of the factory, and later returned to the hall, where a programme of enter-Itainment was arranged. Items were given by Miss Madge Willmoft. Messrs. Frank Part. Frank Williams. Jock Mc-Dougall. and Bob McCue. A dance was also held.