Fireworks for Rugby Union

Northern Advocate, 16 July 1938, Page 5

Fireworks for Rugby Union

Whangarei Rugby Union officials played at fireworks at Rugby Park yesterday afternoon. The Union has become perturbed at the muddy playing surface on No. 1 ground, which was used today for the Maori All Black trial game. The recent heavy rains left large pools ol water on the ground, which have churned up into quagmires, and it became evident that the mole draining system already in existence was not doing its job. The trouble lies wholly on the surface, a hard p’an a few inches below the grass-roots preventing the water from soaking away. The Union agreed that something had to be done 'about it, and thus yesterday afternoon’s winter sunshine found the president, Mr. Leo Garry and Mr, W. F. Berry, paddling around happily in the general sloppiness. sinking holes from two to three feet deep and popping off half la plug of gelignite in each. After the first three attempts they got it down to a fine art, and the succeeding subterranean reverberations shook the field for yards around.

It was hoped that the underground explosions would sufficiently jar the ground to disturb the impervious pan and thus allow the water to escape, but the effectiveness or otherwise of the plan will not be evident until the next heavy rains.