COMPLETION OF RAILWAY

Taranaki Daily News, 1 September 1933, Page 8

COMPLETION OF RAILWAY

END OF JOB FOR THE WORKMEN. ABOUT 180 TO BE DISCHARGED. While the inauguration of the passenger service on the Stratford-Main Trunk line on Monday is a matter for general gratification, it cannot afford pleasure to one section of men as it will'write finis to the employment of about 180 workers who have been finally putting the line into shape. There are, it is understood, 150 men at the Ohura end and 30 at the Stratford end of the line who will be thrown on the ranks of the unemployed, for this is the first time since New Zealand began to build railways that when one construction job was finished there was not another one under way to absorb the men discharged from the finished line. Of course work at Tawa Flat is proceeding but that is nearing completion and cannot provide work for more men. Many of the men on the StratfordMain Trunk line have been following railway construction practisally all their lives—some were bom on the job and have been on it ever since—so that they will find it hard to adapt themselves to altered conditions. CYCLE ROAD RACE SERIES. THIRD EVENT TO E. WINMILL. A course that took riders off the main road was chosen for the third race of the series of six being held by the Stratford Cycle Club. The event, over a 16 miles course, was won by E. Winmill, with O. Belk securing fastest time. Entrants were sent off down the main road south, then via Bird Road, Skinner Road to Beaconsfield Road to Midhirst and home to Stratford. The placings were;— E. Winmill (4m), 49m 59s 1 C. Pittams (3m), 49m 59 l-5s 2 L. Volske (2m) 3 Fastest times: O. Belk (14s), 43m 15s; K. Mehrtens (scr), 43m 19s. Winmill and Pittams had a great tussle for first place, Winmill prevailing by about half a wheel. Volske sprinted from a bunch about 100 yards behind the first two and raced it by three lengths. Mr. J. Crockett was starter, Mr. J. Potts judge and Mr. L. Withers handicapper. The points table is led at present, with three races to go, by E. Winmill (4), C. Pittams (4) and K. Stockman (3). The next event in the series will be held next Thursday and will take the form of two laps of the Beaconsfield Road course. MACHINE GUN CUP PRESENTED. The cup won by the Eltham machinegun platoon as the best unit in Taranaki was presented by the Mayor, Mr. I. J. Bridger, on Wednesday evening during the course of drill He congratulated the platoon and considered it had put up a very creditable performance for a platoon formed only 12 months. He was pleased to see the success attending the formation of volunteer units in New Zealand. Marksmen’s badges were presented by the Mayor to B. Horrocks, G. Ward, S. Evans and H. Frost, and ma-chine-gun badges to B. Horrocks, E. McDonald, T. Evanoff and F. Hopkins. PERSONAL ITEMS. Mr. L. J. Rowell, Christchurch, will succeed Mr. C. Massey when he retires from the managership of the Stratford branch of the Bank of Australasia in November. Mr. Massey joined the bank’s service in 1889 and was appointed to the Stratford branch as accountant 19 years later. In 1911 he was promoted to the position of manager and has held that position ever since—half the term of his service. GENERAL ITEMS. Unlucky Numbers. “Thirteen riders! Then there'll Ise a smash,” remarked an entrant in yesterday’s Stratford Cycle Club event. And there was. One of the riders crashed at the turn from Bird Road to Skinner Road and buckled the bars of his machine.—And then there were 12. Church of England Euchre Party. Twenty-five tables were occupied at the last of the series of Church of England euchre parties held at the Stratford parish hall on Wednesday night. The prizes were won by Mesdames Bell and Waite and Messrs. Harris and R. Collins. The points prizes were won by Mrs. Tunbridge and Mr. Smeath. The committee, encouraged by the success of the first series, is organising another, to commence in a fortnight’s time. Workmen at Aerodrome. A gang of men is busy at the Stratford aerodrome levelling the ground and removing trees. Yesterday afternoon a working-bee of aero club members was on the spot with the log’ hauler. The party intends to occupy its half-holidays and week-ends removing trees until the area is cleared. Dancing School’s Success. Pupils of Miss Tui Macßae had considerable success at the Hawera competitions last week. There were 14 entries and 11 places were secured. Eltham Oddfellows’ Euchre. The final euchre party of the season held by the Eltham Oddfellows was largely attended on Wednesday. The prizes were won as follows: —Mr. G. Morton 1, Mr. E. Burgess 2, and Mr. C. Martin 3; Mrs. Paton 1, Mrs. Cockroft 2, Mrs. O’Connor 3.