FAST CONSTRUCTION OF AERODROME

Southland Times, Issue 23782, 1 April 1939, Page 6

FAST CONSTRUCTION OF AERODROME

“WORK A TRIUMPH FOR MECHANIZATION” (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, March 31. “It is important that we excavate where necessary and level the site of the Whenuapai military aerodrome in the quickest possible time and it is estimated that we will put the job through within a year of starting operations,” said the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) on returning from an inspection of the work. Mr Semple explained that the contractor (Mr A. Downer) who was a former public works officer, was using plant provided by the department and the results were a triumph for. mechanization. , r.. , A demonstration of the working of the machines had been arranged for tomorrow in order to give public men in particular an opportunity of inspecting the new methods of construction with the special application to military aerodrome work. “Excavation started on January 10, the task of the contractor being to shift 1,200,000 cubic yards,” said Mr Semple. “So far he has shifted 400,000 cubic yards and an improvement in the rate is anticipated as the work proceeds. It would have taken 250 men a total of eight years to do the work by the old methods and the cost would have been three times greater than by mechanization.

“I will challenge any critic on the spot to tell me a better way of doing the job than by the present methods,” said Mr Semple. “I am out to learn. If anyone will tell me a quicker ' and cheaper way I will listen to him with all the dignity in the world. It is" a fair challenge.”