LOADING IN SURF

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 27, 13 November 1935, Page 4

LOADING IN SURF

WOOL FROM BACK-COUNTRY. THE USE OF BULLOCK TEAMS. Revolutionary changes in the transport of wool from back-country stations have taken place in the past decade. Where formerly' the. picturesque, but slow, bullocks- used totrundle over rough tracks with their heavy loads, motor-lorries now speed over good metalled roads and cover the distance in a fraction of the time. There are still, however, a few places on the east coast of the North Island v, here the old method survives. At Akitio, 40 miles east of Danuevirke, an old drover and his team of bullocks bring hack memories of the early days. At the height of the shearing season larger loads of wool from sheep stations near Akitio are taken by motor-lorries to a shed near the beach, and from this point the bullocks are employed in taking the wool to surf boats, which transfer it to a steamer at anchor nearly a mile off the shore. Patient Animals. The coastline at Akitio is exposed to the full strength of the Pacific Ocean, and favourable conditions for loading have to be awaited. On a sunny day, with a light breeze from the land, the animated scenes on the beach and water give a touch of colour rarely seen to-day. / v Bales are piled on an old wooden dray, and the veteran bullocks.—a vivid contrast in colours, with splashes oil brown, black and white—start off ill a slow procession on their short journey to the water. Urged by tho sharp cracks of a whip and the cries of tho drover, they pull their load over the heavy sand into the to a depth, of 4ft., and await the arrival of a surfboat.

There is usually a gentle ocean swell breaking on the. beach, but, apart from lifting their heads high in the air, the bullocks stand patiently while the sea sweeps over their bodies. At times only their heads can bo seen above . the waves. Working Against Time. In marked contrast to this primitive method of .transport is the modern surf boat, equipped with an oil engine, which makes contact from tho bullock dray to the steamer. The surf-boat cruises alongside the dray, lines -afe thrown out and tho boat is made fast. In spite of tho greatest care in handling, tho boat is sometimes tossed .against the standing bullocks by the ocean swell, hut the beasts remain unperturbed.' The surf-boat having been loaded, it sets* off for the ship, where steam winches throb busily as they transfer the bales from boat to hold. The. bullocks return for another load.

The work goes on all day, and with the greatest speed possible, for itmust he done while conditions arc favourable. It is thirsty work, as is shown by the group of women and children who wait on tho-. beach with hqt tea for the men.