AIRCRAFT ON STATIONS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 22 November 1924, Page 15

AIRCRAFT ON STATIONS.

GROWING USE IN AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY, October 30. Aeroplanes ai'e becoming an essential part of the equipment of some of the big stations of Australia. So huge are some of these that even' in norma! times such a means of transit is invaluable in inspecting the scattered flocks and maintaining communication with the distant boundary huts. It is in the presence of heavy rains, such as have recently been experienced, that the great value of aircraft for. station use is realised. The conveyance of stockmen and dogs by air ta a tract of country which soon afterwards became isolated through a biliabcng (backwater of river) junctioned at both ends with the river saved a large flock of sheep from being isolated. The river had liecome flooded, and it was impossible to ride across country to the land on which the sheep were grazing, and, knowing that it was only a matter of hours before the area would be surrounded by flood waters, the .station hands were able, with .the aid of the aeroplane, to drive the sheep to higher country before the narrow neck was shut off by the billabong. Another interesting use of an aeroplane at Longreach was made by Mr >V. C. Coade, a well-known grazier of Dundee and Sunshine stations. Wishing to inspect a line of 9500 ewes at Terrick Terrick station, and being informed that the recent rains had made the journey by car, horse or on foot impossible, he immediately ordered an aeroplane to convey him thither a distance of 130 miles. Mr Coade had not previously ridden in a ’plane, but this did not deter him. The aerodrome was left at >7.10 a.m.., Mr W. Clarke, of Winehcombe, Carson, Ltd., the selling agents, accompanying Mr Coade, and the station was reached and the actual drafting of the sheep commenced at 9.15 a.m., although the party had to walk a mile from the landing ground to the. drafting yards. Mr Coade purchased 9500 ewes! and, after lunching at the homestead, the return journey was commenced, the actual flying time for the 260 miles being under 150'minutes. During last week a crate of fowls was conveyed by air from Long reach to Cloncurfy.