TIMBER JACKS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 December 1940, Page 6

TIMBER JACKS

INVALUABLE FOR DEMOLITION WORK DEMONSTRATION IN LONDON. NEW ZEALAND PRODUCT IN DEMAND. (Received This Day, 11.20 a.m.) (From the Official War Correspondent with the Second N.Z.E.F. in England). BRITAIN, December 27. New Zealand timber jacks, patented and made in the Dominion are being added to the standard equipment of Royal Engineer construction units engaged in demolition and rescue work after London bombings. A demonstration last week by men of New Zealand forestry units opened the eyes of the authorities to the timber jack’s usefulness in making heavy lifts from awkward positions. ’ “I am convinced,” wrote a War Office engineer in charge of this work, “that New Zealand jacks would be invaluable for use in London under present conditions.” Accordingly, a supply is being ordered from New Zealand by cable. Meanwhile, the War Office has requested the use of a dozen jacks from foresters, each of 3 companies of whom came overseas equipped with fourteen of these. A dozen has been sent to London today from the country in charge of two expert New Zealand bushworkers, who are being attached to the Royal Engineers for several weeks as instructors. Thus the new equipment has been made immediately available for urgent rescue work and British troops arc given the opportunity to become accustomed to its use before the general issue of the jack arrives from New Zealand. Suggestions for the use of timber jacks in bombed areas were first made by Colonel J. G. Elliott, officer commanding the forestry unit. In the opinion of a salvage corps engineer and senior officers who have seen it working in the woods it is probable that demolition gangs in all big cities will shortly be issued with the New Zealand product.