Plane loading lime at Bell Hill airstrip

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DescriptionFrom the book
Historical Survey of the Grey County 1877 to 1960
By Mr and Mrs Victor Hawker on behalf of the Grey County Council

Plane loading lime at Bell Hill airstripMap^[1]

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Location (city or town)Bell HillEventPlane loading lime at Bell Hill airstrip

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Date Created18th July 2019CommentsTrevor Molloy I carted the first load of lime to the airsrip at bell hill

Trevor Molloy It was 3 ton on a M L Bedford from rail at kotuku station , the lime was railed from the lime works at ross , the manager at the lands and survey farm was Angus Patterson

Pat Dooley I don't think I have ever seen so many wagons of fertiliser as what I saw lined up at Kotuku rail siding for the Lands and Survey farms in the late 1960s. After a day driving the Pelican loader I hoped I didn't see to many more of them

Trevor Molloy Pat Dooley you Canterbury lambs got a lot of surprises as to how it happened on the west coast .

Derious Worgan I worked there from 1989 to 1993 at Ruru Farm.

Trevor Molloy this was in 1959 .

Craig Benbow I think you mean 1969 Trevor

Trevor Molloy Craig Benbow in 1959 I was still driving dads old M L , in 1960 I got a brand new Bedford diesel

Pat Dooley Trevor Molloy I was there in 1968 and it was not a new job to you guys at Molloy Bros so it had to be 1959

Craig Benbow Ok. The earliest aircraft I recall were a Snow followed by the Thrush and then the Fletcher. We arrived in 69. Remember you guys trucking and yes the pelican must have been a tiger to tame. Was a long time until the trucks came direct with fertiliser and the lime from Brunner

Alan Davidson Something in my confused mind says a top dresser crashed at Bell Hill, when I was stationed at Greymouth, maybe 1969/70 or thereabouts. I attended ( I think 3 plane crashes) as a Policeman. I remember going to Bell Hill, unsure whether it was for a plane or motor vehicle.

Craig Benbow I recall a prop breaking on Snow I think but the pilot managed to get it back on the strip Alan Davidson

Alan Davidson That may have been it. Thanks for allowing me to think I havent completely lost the plot, although many would beg to differ.

Gavin Waters Yes there was a plane crash up on the state farm in about 1979 it was a Snow as I recall, the pilot was unable to get enough lift dropped his load just before crash,luckily walked away.
I also carted lime from Kotaku siding for Molloys Transport then owned by North Canterbury Transport.

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Plane loading lime at Bell Hill airstrip

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