May 2018 Project Martha – Historical & Archaeological Background 67 production of television sets was a significant development for the company and Skinner notes: ‘When the Queen visited New Zealand in 1953-54, Pye brought to New Zealand a complete television transmitting station which for several years remained the only demonstration unit of its kind in the country. Waihi's Rugby Park was the scene of New Zealand's first outside television broadcast, which Akrad engineers staged for a Harlequins versus Barbarians Rugby match in 1954. The telecast, complete with commentary on play, was viewed by hundreds on Pye sets placed around the field, in the Waihi hospital and several private homes. Later an exhibition studio was built to house the equipment as a feature of the 1954 Auckland Easter Show, from which telecasts were made to Pye sets specially installed in Green Lane Hospital and several private homes in Auckland. Akrad provided engineers to run and supervise this equipment.’213 From 1958 to 1960 the Akrad factory at Haszard Street was enlarged and further stock, machinery and motor vehicles purchased; however, it soon became apparent that the premises would be unable to provide the area needed to produce television receivers. A contract was let for the construction of a new plant in Moresby Avenue, on Section 92 Town of Waihi. The interest in the residence license over the land had been transferred from Lily Bjerring to the Akrad Radio Corporation Ltd in 1954, although it is unclear how the land was utilised prior to the erection of the factory.214 The new Akrad plant covered an area of 56,000 square feet and was opened in 1962 (Figure 49) at a cost of £160,000.215 Details of the interior are provided by Climie: ‘The building faces Moresby Avenue and consists of large comfortable offices on the ground floor with staff locker rooms and other amenities on the first floor. A large modern cafeteria overlooking Martha Street, with up-to-date kitchen, has a seating capacity for over 200 persons. An area of 40,000 square feet on the first floor is used for the assembly of Television, Radio Telephone and Radio Receivers. The “saw-tooth” design of this area affords an abundance of natural lighting and temperature is controlled by four modern units placed at strategic points. Every effort has been made to bring the working conditions up to the very highest standard. A feature of the building is the roadway which passes through it, allowing vehicles to unload under cover on the same level as the factory floor. Access and egress to and from the building is made through entrances which incorporate electrically operated roller type doors. Fire protection is provided by a Sprinkler installation which served the entire building.’216 In conjunction with the new factory a Technical Laboratory was also opened on a site in Barry Road at the end of 1962.217 Several other subsidiary plants also operated in Hamilton and Paeroa between 1960 and 1983.218 213 Ibid. 214 SA3C/167, LINZ. 215 R.E. Skinner, ‘Akrad Radio Corporation’, Ohinemuri Regional History Journal, 9, May 1968; Auckland Libraries, New Zealand Scrap Book, September 1962, p.205 & 208. 216 Climie 1962, pp.161-162. 217 Ibid., p.162. 218 PYE-New Beginnings, Waihi New Zealand’s Heart of Gold website, accessed via: http://www.waihi.org.nz/about-us/history-and-heritage/the-pye-story/pye-new-beginnings/
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