AT FULL SPEED

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20906, 11 September 1939, Page 9

AT FULL SPEED

AIRPORT CONSTRUCTION NEW PLYMOUTH TRAINING CENTRE (Special to Times.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Sunday Extensive work for the rapid development of the New Plymouth airport as a training centre for pilots has been begun to the order of the Government. Large hangars and permanent accommodation for a total staff and flying trainees of 200 are to be erected at a cost of £45,000. To complete .the work in six weeks 16 or 17 firms of New Plymouth builders have agreed to suspend all remunerative private building in the meantime and to undertake the contract at cost plus a nominal commission to cover administration expenses. From 150 to 160 carpenters will be employed in the initial stages and probably more later. Including allied trades, well over 200 men will be engaged at once, but as the work progresses staffs may be Increased. All concerned, even joinery factories and sawmills in the King Country, will work a week -of six days of 10 hours each, and later, when the roofs are on, the question of extending the 60 hours a week by providing for night shifts will be considered. Master Builders Co-operate If the work is completed within the stipulated time it will be an outstanding accomplishment. All the arrangements are being made by the Taranaki Master Builders’ Association, each member concerned offering bis cooperation in a spirit recognising the necessity of the times. Some firms have already commenced work, and by tomorrow it is expected the whole scheme will be under way. Jobs ranging from small to large have been allotted to builders ac-cord-ing to the capacity of their plants and the size of their staffs. Should one firm complete its task before another, however, it will go to the help of others still with work to do. With such co-operation il is hoped to get the work done within the scheduled time. The buildings, which are to be placed on concrete foundations, are all to be of a substantial type, with a potential life of many years and, although the job is to be rushed, there will be no question of skimping the work. One of the dormitory blocks would in normal circumstances take three or four months to complete. Joinery factories and sawmills are fully co-operating in the undertaking to make the scheme possible, and their staffs will work long hours. Timber merchants have made dry dressed timber and scantlings available to the Government at cost price. The work involves excavation, road making, a sewerage scheme requiring a mile of pipes, and the installation of water mains and power lines. The main messroom will have an elaborate kitchen, with a large’ cooker, dishwasher and the latest appliances, all operated by electricity.