It's all they've got: Kaitangatans relieved to see opening of further coal mine

A number of gentlemen interested in aerial navigation met in the Otago Chess Club Rooms last night to discuss the question of forming an Aero Club, the prime movers being Messrs B. Hughes and O. Wood. Mr J. McDonald attended by request, as having been previously connected with practical effort in the way of aeroplaning, and was unanimously elected to the chair.

Mr Hughes explained that his wish in calling the meeting was to see what could be done in the way of forming a club to take up the scientific side of the question, so that members could exchange their thoughts and opinions and help each other in the practical work of making models and experimenting with gliders as an introduction to more serious work on their own behalf.

He drew attention to the fact that similar clubs had already been formed in Auckland and Christchurch, and he thought that Dunedin should not lag behind. Messrs G. Glossop, O. Wood, J.

Milnes, and A. Devlin warmly supported the proposal, and the chairman applauded their zeal and expressed himself willing to do all he could to forward the interest of the science.

He received a motion, proposed by Mr Hughes, that those present form themselves into a body called "The Dunedin Aero Club", and recommended that they also set themselves up as a temporary committee to look round and do what they could to get others to join.

The club was formed and the committee set up, Mr Hughes undertaking the position of secretary pro tem.

It was also resolved that Mr Devlin, who will leave in a few days for the north, should interview the secretary of the Auckland Club and report to a meeting to be held on the third Monday in January. Besides the speakers already enumerated, the only other gentleman present was Mr L. Beck, who forms part of the committee.

• The preliminary work in connection with the opening up of a new field of coal is now being steadily pushed forward by the Kaitangata Coal Company.

The main drive to open up this new field, which lies to the south of the Kaitangata No. 1 mine, and is to be known as the Kaitangata No. 2 mine, has been extended for a distance of 350ft, and has to be driven another 1050ft.

A prospecting drive was put down in July last, and it is expected that when the new field is opened up, which should be in August of next year, very extensive developments will follow, and that a very big impetus will be given to the coal mining industry.

At the present time there are 350 men engaged at the company's two mines - Kaitangata No. 1 and Castlehill. The output last year amounted to over 130,000 tons, and it is hoped to exceed that this year. - ODT, 13.12.1911