OPOTIKI AERODROME

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 99, 19 October 1938, Page 2

OPOTIKI AERODROME

WORK OF COMPLETION . NIGHT AND DAY SHIFTS A start was made over a week ago on the work ot completing the Opotnci aerodrome in readiness lor , the commencement of the AucklandrGis borne passenger service early in the summer. The work of levelling the area was abandoned temporarily some months ago owing to the wet winter and was further delayed by the prolonged wet spellTlie whole of the area is now being disced in readiness for the sowing of grass-seed and difficulty is being experienced in breaking the soil up to a fine surface as the area has become liard-baked from the month of fine weather, combined wit-li drying winds. It was hoped to make a start to-day in t]ie grassing of the first area and the balance of the aerodrome will lie sown as the contractors complete the work of breaking-up and levelling. About 1000 yards of filling lias still to be shifted and it is hoped to have the whole area completed early next week, when the final grassing can be done. The contractors have been working night and day to have the aerodrome completed as soon as possible. The work has been very dusty and men and machines have been covered in dust as the huge tractor has rapidly drawn the ciisc-s across the big field. It has been necessary to disc some of the ground five times with three sets of discs. Weather permitting, a plane will he sent down from Auckland on Friday to try out the surface of the aerodrome. Nearly- all the hedges in the vicinity of the aerodrome have been pulled out and the fencing is now being completed on the northern boundary of the area. Concrete-posts are being nsed in t-lie fences used to replace the hedges which have had to he removed. The aerodrome has already consolidated and as soon as the grass lias taken properly will he ready for use.