STORAGE OF WOOL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21548, 30 October 1944, Page 2

STORAGE OF WOOL

DRILL HALL IN USE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION DISPOSAL OF CARRY-OVER In part solution of the wool-storage ■ difficulties recently encountered in the Gisborne district, ns elsewhere throughout the Dominion, the Gisborne drill hall is to be used as alternative storage space for the carryover from previous seasons, thus as- i sisting to clear the commercial stores' for the receipt of the new season's clip. It seems likely that the wool placed in the building will stay there indefinitely. Until last week, the Government j showed definite reluctance to permit j the use of the drill hall for wool stor- , age, in deference to public opinion in Gisborne and also in view of the cost of protecting the building from damage during the handling of woolbales. It was realised that many organisations in Gisborne which had supported representations to the Government to rebuild the old Garrison Hall, or to replace it by a smaller building,. had looked forward to the release of the new hall for public pur- : poses. The storage of wool there, it j was argued, could only be justified as [ a last resource following upon the mopping-up of other alternative storage sites. First Loads of Wool An inspection of the drill hall was undertaken some weeks ago by representaives of liic Public Works De- j partmenl, and last week a further in- ! spection was made by a representative of flic Internal Marketing Division. On Saturday the first loads of wool were sent from a commercial store to the drill hall, and this was the first intimation to the general public ! that the question had been decided. Precautions against damage to the floor or to the building structure have been specified by the Works Department, and include a restriction of the floor loading within a definite safety factor. The protection of the floor against the effects of wool-grease, noted after the use of the City Hall for, similar purposes during the last war. will include the laying of grillage on the existing floor. In effect, a false flooring will be laid over the permanent timbers, and a Works Department officer to-day stated that this would give definite protection against grease staining the floor. Tlie use of the aerodrome hangars at Darton Field is also contemplated by the Works Department, acting ior the Government in the conversion of suitable district buildings under State ownership; and substantial temporary relief should thus be given to the wool brokers.