STUMPING WITH “ERUPITE.”

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 14, 17 September 1913, Page 6

STUMPING WITH “ERUPITE.”

Tho New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., Stratford, gave a series of demonstrations of this explosive on Mr A. J. Granton’s farm, Poto Hoad, Cardiff, on Friday last. Tho first operation was the disposal of a rata, with largo extended roots, with 2Jibs of eruptite, costing 2s 2d. Tho tree bounded out of the ground, amidst a shower of pieces, and on examination it was found that the tree, with roots, ete., wore, completely ejected and broken up. Then followed a largo rimu measuring 78ft high, with a diameter of about 9 feet at base, supported all round with ratas. sjibs of eruptite was applied, costing •Is 8d and laid low this monarch of the forest, also clearing up the ratas and roots as well. Several farmers present assured us that this tree would weigh at least 20 tons and that it would have taken a good man at least three days to do the work of tho above charge. The next was a logsplitting experiment, which was also successful and showed the power of the explosive by about Jib splitting a large rimu log, sft by 12ft, into several pieces. The last tree rooted out uas a fair sized whitewood, which submitted to the power of 21bs of tho explosive, making a clean job of the tree as well as pulling up tho spreading roots. The safety of this explosive was also demonstrated several times by the application of lighted matches to it without any signs of danger. Farmers wishing to verify the foregoing may do so by applying to Messrs Cranton, Lacy or Baker, who were present, and who expressed themselves well satisfied with the work done so cheaply.