In a street in Arch Hill

Arch Hill is one of the older areas of Auckland, with mostly workers' cottages on the southern slopes from the Grey Lynn ridge, down into the gully which has been used to carry the Northwestern Motorway (State Highway 16) from the central city out past Western Springs. 've seen a number of different manhole covers in this area.

This one, manufactured by Masport, caught my attention as it is in pretty good condition despite likely being quite old. Masport made lawn mowers in the days when muscle power was the motive force. Following the advent of motorised mowers, they made those also.

When I first worked as a consultant in South Auckland, we had a sort of relationship with Masport, whose factory and foundry was in our patch. Masport made two positions available at all times to persons who had mental health problems, and would hold a job open until the person was well enough to return to work, or left voluntarily. If the latter, we were approached again for a referral. Unionised labour ensured that these workers were rewarded with the same pay and conditions as the rest of the workforce (leaving seniority aside).

This only stopped when Masport was bought out by a group, who did not believe in having a social conscience.