MAGNETIC PICK-UP TO CLEAR WANGANUI STREETS

Wanganui Chronicle, 6 May 1947, Page 4

MAGNETIC PICK-UP TO CLEAR WANGANUI STREETS

Capaole of lifting 1000 lb. deadweight, a mobile magnet pick-up outfit began operations in Wanganui to-day. Main job is to clear the streets of the city and suburbs, but private jobs are being undertaKen, including work at the Wanganui Racecouise. The pick-up Is owned and operated by a partnership, and is the first privately owned magnetic pick-up in New Zealand. Public Works Department machines, one of which visited Wanganui several months ago are now being restricted to main highway work. The magnet measuring seven feet and weighing three-quarters of a 10.. is suspended behind the cab of a short wheel base lorry, which travels the streets at from three to four miles per hour. Bottle tops, nails screws, bolts nuts, petrol tank caps, and tools arc among the motley collection of articles the pick-up removes from the streets. The operators anticipate a week will be required in which to do their work in Wanganui. One of the jobs apart from the municipal one will be the cleaning of the saddling paddock and parking area at the racecourse. A recent job was done on the car park of the Fielding racecourse. The secretary stated afterwards that the committee were amazed at the amount of debris collected, for there was no metal visible through the grass. Marton borough roads were (rented on Friday and Saturday of last week.