Chopping boost pleases

Press, 7 December 1988, Page 41

Chopping boost pleases

Shifting the North Island axemen’s championships from the main centres to the heart of New Zealand’s forestry country has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of entries in the 1988 championships. The Double Brown sjibnsored competition will be held in Rotorua today and tomorrow and 10 titles will be decided. •

Mr Baragh Heather, a spokesman for the Rotorua Axemen’s Association, attributes the increased entries to the location of the championships. “Travel has been halvtal for many of the competltoi%; they are situated in the hub of the forestry industry;" excellent chopping wood 'is available; and the prizemoney has been neaHy, doubled," he said. The response from axemen had been tremendous, said Mr Heather. Events that attracted only a couple of entries last year are filled to capacity this year. Nelson Parker from Northland is the only leading North Island axemen not entered; He is competing in Australia. Included in the standing chop are the New Zealand representatives, Brian Trow and Doug Hohneck, of Waiuku, and Cass Hohneck of Kahoroa. David Bolstad, a son of the legendary late Sonny Bolstad is a talented young axeman who will challenge the top men.