YEAST BY ’PLANE

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 47, 25 February 1938, Page 2

YEAST BY ’PLANE

Supplies for Townships DROPPED ON BEACH HASTINGS, Feb. 24. From Our Own Corresuondent. Packets of yeast for the use of bakers in Tokomaru Bay and Ruatoria who had been cut off from supplies by the blocking of roads, were flown up from Hastings on Tuesday by a machine from the Hawke’s Bay and East Coast Aero Club. The club’s planes have been pressed into use in the past for many unique purposes, but the thought that they would be delivering yeast to a 3000 square-mile district cut off by floods had never entered the minds of the pilots until the request came through early this Week. A telephone message was put through to Hastings asking that yeast should be flown up to the district, and a start was made on Monday morning. The plane, however, was forced to turn back after reaching Mohaka, owing to bad weather conditions. On Tuesday morning, the club’s instructor, Mr. E. F. Harvie, flew to Gisborne in one of the club’s machines, with the required packets of yeast. Ten bundles were made up, each wrapped securely four times with stout brown paper and cord. The trip to Gisborne took the usual time of about an hour and 10 minutes, and 40 minutes later the machine was over th'- beach at Tolcomaru Bay. Cutting off the engine, the pilot flew to within 10 feet cf the beach, it being impossible to land, and dropped off a packet of yeast almost at the feet of the waiting men. The 'plane had to circle and come down to drop each packet, seven in all. Three others were dropped in a small paddock at Ruatoria. The packets were dropped at Tokomaru Bay in the space of eight minutes. On Tuesday morning, when the trip was made, East Coast bakers were faced with a serious bread shortage. In Tokomaru Bay there was only 24 hours’ supply of yeast left, while three small towns, Ruatoria. Tikitiki, and Waipiro Bay, had none at all. It is possible that if communications are not restored today, a further trip may be made w4tb additional supplies to-morrow.