IN FAR NORTH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 22, 26 January 1935, Page 11

IN FAR NORTH.

PRINCE'S HAPPY DAY.

AMONG THE KAURI GIANTS. "XT3Y WITH FILM CAMERA. (By Telegraph.—Special Reporter.) OPONONI, Friday. Overlooked in the Duke of Gloucester's official itinerary of New Zealand, the Far North loomed large in the picture to-day, and the inhabitants had readymade means of seeing much more of the Prince than any "oilier community in New Zealand. In addition to the programme Messrs. J. G. Coates and D. Ardell had mapped out for the entertainment of the Royal visitor, they struck a refreshing note of originality and novelty and took him oil' the 'beaten tracks of ceremony and formality. The impracticability of excluding the public from the excursion was forcibly demonstrated throughout the day, there being large gatherings, at each of the Dukes engagements, although these were supposed to be entirely private. For example, nearly 700 people assembled at Nelsons Bush, where tree-felling and log-hauling exhibitions were staged. However, no one appeared to be concerned about it, least of all Ilis Roval Highness, who evidently found full enjoyment in the day's experience. Loud cheering from settlers who haa tun oiled long distances to be present, gi ccted 1 i ince Henry s arrival at noon at Trounson Park, where Mr. V Trouson, -Mrs. Coates and the Misses Coates were presented to him. A walk with his terriers Digger and Sally through the renowned kauri reserve gave His Royal Highness the opportunity to inspect and photograph some of the forest monarehs and admire denselygrown bush. Lunch under a marquee, with a party of thirty-two, was had at Nelson Bush. " , Spectacular Tree Felling. Then commenced one of the spectacular incidents of the outing. Followed by a large crowd, His Royal Highness walked through the bush to a clearing in which stood an umbrella type of kauri, reputed to bo at least a thousand years old, and estimated to contain seven thousand feet of millable timber. Its girth measurements was 20ft Sin, and the lowest limb 31ft from the ground. In advance of the arrival of His Royal Highness a team of four cross-cutters had hewn a Oft scarf on the downhill grade to ensure a fall direct into th« gully, and also had made a substantial base cut with a ten-foot saw. While the Duke adjusted his portable cinematograph, the sawing was resumed and the teeth went through the timber like a knife through cheese. Then were inserted the wedges, and a minute later came a hoarse cry, "under below on the gully." With a roar as of thunder, the forest giant crashed through the foliage in the deelinity, scattering small trees right and left. Experts described the operation as a fine piece of work. Details of the cutting, scarfing and wedging were explained by the contractor, Mr. T. Taylor, to His Royal Highness, who shook hands with those who hau taken oart in the exhibition.

The old and the new were given a picturesque ' comparison in the next display, which related to haulage of logs from the bush. The first exhibition was by a team of eighteen bullocks attached to a kauri log weighing four tons. To the crack of the driver's whip, and in response to weird calls, the bullocks behaved like a team of well trained sheepdogs. However, on the first attempt, the chain snapped, but after a extra strop had been added, the log was brought out. It has been said that the language of bullock drivers is unprintable, but to-day the driver's strongest description expletive was "you son of a gun." The Duke took a moving picture of the oxen haulage, and also of the winch methofi and process of jacking logs on to a timber wagon. Before departing His Royal Highness chatted with the bullock driver and other workmen. Expert Tree Climbers. Stopping his car on its way through the. Waipoua State Forest, the Prince studied the view from the main bridge and took a photographic record o.f it. Subsequently he inspected the mammoth Tane Mahuta, said to be 1200 years old and estimated to contain 72,000 super, feet of timber. Its girth measured 43ft, and the first branch overlooked the ground to an extent of 42ft. Yet another attractive spectacle was a tree-climbing exhibition by three Maori experts, who, with spiked boots and axes in hand, scaled a 100 ft kauri with all the agility of monkeys. From the tree top they collected 'kauri apples, and also some gum, which they handed to his Royal Highness. Their descent was performed with the same finish as had marked thenascent. One of the climbers demonstrated the old rope method of climbin"-, involving considerable skill in throwing a pilot line, the adroit use of a rope as a stirrup, and the use of stockinged feet. Both operations were filmed by the Duke. Oponoiii turned out to a man to welcome the Duke and to cheer him again on his reappearance from the hotel, dressed in a bathing suit. His Highness spent over an hour in the water, and was the last of the party to leave the l)P«lcll. Throughout the day he remained at the wheel of his car, the total driving distance being a hundred miles. Visit To "Diggers" Dance. The Duke danced to-night at Opononi and enjoyed it. His attendance at the hall, which was entirely unexpected, created a lasting impression in the district. The gathering was one held by returned soldiers of Hokianga, and learning that ex-servicemen were to organise, the Prince expressed the desire to C meet them. Unheralded, he nonchalantly entered the hall in company with Mr. Coates and his equerries, and quickly made himself at home with former '''diggers," with whom he exchanged handshakes and chatted. "His presence was a high honour to the district, said the president, Mr. Harding Leaf, who pointed out that the Duke was the first member of the Royal family to visit Hokianga. He reminded His Hi<rhncss that Hokianga mean 1 "I shall return" and he trusted that the Dnke would come back at some future date. "Maybe on your honeymoon." added Mr. Leaf. The. Duke entered into the sochil sida of the proceedings and was soon among the dancers. He had several dances witli local partners, remaining at tin; gathering for • an hour and a half. Among those*presented to him was Mrs. Archie Edwards, 'of Kaikohe, whose orchestra supplied the dance music. On his departure the Duke was. cheered by the dancers, who sang "For lie's a Jolly Good Fellow."