SECOND TIME FELLED.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 289, 6 December 1928, Page 27

SECOND TIME FELLED.

SHOBTLAND STREET VETERAN END OF BIG TELEGRAPH POLE. For the second time in its lifetime the big totara post which for a-quarter of a century lias borne the weight of ■o many wires outside the Shortland Street Post Office, was yesterday cut down. Ponderous ae the pole was, it was handled with perfect ease by the experienced "bush-fallers" who did the job. A single derrick was hoisted alongside the big pole (which was about 2ft square at the butt). This was guyed up street and down street by strong wire ropes made fast to other , poles, and again by ropes to the opposite side of Shortland Street, and also to the old Post Office, through a hole cut in the brick wall, high up. Two men then got to work with a cross-cut saw, and just at ground level made a cut half-way through the pole. Totara is an easy wood to work at any time, and this pole had been so thoroughly seasoned that it was like cutting through cheese. A similar cut was made from the other side, and as the monster canted the weight was taken by a strong double-pulley tackle, the top block of which was made fast to the top of the derrick, and the loose end brought down to a windlass, anchored at the foot of the pple. By thia means the old veteran was lowered gently to the pavement, where it was put on a lorry and carted away.