WORK AT AERODROME

Taranaki Daily News, 13 February 1935, Page 6

WORK AT AERODROME

STUMPING AND CLEARING. STRATFORD PLAN UNDER WAY. Preliminary work on the Stratford aerodrome site should be completed at the end of a fortnight and if the men are available a start will be made with the actual construction of the aerodrome —levelling and draining. The stumping is well in hand and about 80 per cent, of that work has been done. The chipping of grass and weeds, including blackberry, bidi bidi and ragwort, is keeping pace with the stumping and will be finished at the same time. All the matter that is being chipped off is being burned so that there will be a clean surface for ploughing. If the grass and weeds were ploughed in there would be a certain amount of spring in the surface that is not desirable.. It is planned to use rationed relief labour once the clearing is done and the work will require about 40 men. GENERAL ITEMS. Holiday To-morrow. There will be a general exodus of citizens from Stratford to-morrow when the annual school picnic, which has • become recognised as the annual outing of the townspeople, will take place at Ngamotu beach, New Plymouth. A full holiday is being observed by both the primary and secondary schools, while practically all business houses will be closed.

Men for Ragwort Clearing. Arrangements have been made for clearing ragwort on Crown Lands in the Stratford county with relief workers. The matter was discussed yesterday between the finance committee of the Stratford County Council and Mr. F. W. Sutton, Wellington, of the Department of Agriculture. 1 Fanners’ Applications.

When the share of the cost which the farmer had to provide to have clearing and stumping done by relief workers was raised from 25 per cent, to 50 per cent., the flow of applications for work to be done under the scheme dwindled, away to nothing but has now revived in the form of several applications. , The Illusion of Levels.

To the casual observer standing at the aerodrome site, Flint Road East, Stratford, the land appears to fall away to the town but actual levels tell a different story. The average height of the aerodrome above sea level is 930 feet, while the Stratford railway station is 1012 feet above sea level. SWIMMING AT STRATFORD. HANDICAPS FOR TO-NIGHT. Handicaps for the Stratford' Swimming Club’s events to-night are:— _ 50 yards free-style and dive, senior women: Miss D. Pettigrew scr, R. Black 1 L. Wicksam 2, S. Nowell 2, C. Dixon 3, C. Whittlestone 4, C. Wickham 5, Mrs. Wilkes 5. ■ ' • 50 yards free-style and 100 yards breaststroke, men: T. J. Haughton scr, scr; A. Robson 2,2; H. Lonsdale 3,5; R. Girling 3,8; H. Skuse 4,7; W. Penman 4,8; John Ryan 5, 10; J. Davis 6, 10; Jack Ryan 6, 12; T. McCluggage 6, 10; J. Osmond 9,4; F. Wickham 7, 14; G. Wilson 10, 5; W. Wells 12, 16. , 50 yards breaststroke and 75 yards medley, intermediate boys: R. scr » scr; N. Turnbull scr, scr; Neville Turnbull 6, 12; H. Bradshaw 7, 12; R. Ross 7, 12; R. White 8, 15. 25\ yards- breaststroke and 100 yards free-style, intermediate girls: P. Villers scr, scr; I. Kermode 4,9; P. Butchart 6, 14. Six widths and 50 yards breaststroke, junior girls: O. Kermode scr, scr; S. Healy 10, 10. 50 yards free-style and 25 yards backstroke: M. Ryan scr, scr; D. Turnbull 7 5- E. Cuff 8,6; W. Anstis 8,6; B. Kivell 11, 7; R. Kivell 12, 8; F. Richardson 12, 9; R. Cameron 13, 9. ADVERTISERS’ ANNOUNCEMENTS. The committee responsible for the organisation of the Stratford summer flower show in the Stratford town hall on February 23 is anxious to make it one. of the best in tfte province and is seeking exhibits from the many beautiful gardens of Central Taranaki. Schedules are obtainable (rpm the secretary, Mrs. B. C. Black, or from Messrs. H. T. Cooper, B. Rawles and V. N. Lester. To-day the first classes in the attractive programme arranged by the Mangaehu Sheep Dog Trial Club will be held, thus opening the two days’ annual trials. This year the trials will be held at Tututawa on Messrs. Arkwright and Arkwright’s property. Some of the best trial dogs of Taranaki will be competing. Under the direction of Mr. R. Corry, facilities for obtaining luncheon and morning and afternoon tea at greatly reduced prices, will be an attractive feature. The catering will aA be done by the club. To-morrow will be People’s Day, when the events are arranged to give visitors a maximum amount of interest. Women will be admitted free and men charged only 2s admission. The usual dance will be held in the evening and Ambassador’s Dance Band has been engaged.