Traction Engine Rally Recalls Old Threshing Days

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28619, 23 June 1958, Page 10

Traction Engine Rally Recalls Old Threshing Days

Remember the traction engine? The cry: “The mill’s coming,” that sent yesterday’s children hurrying home from school: the puffing clouds of black smoke that burst in the sky as the engine, threshing mill and train of whares steamed majestically into the Wheatfield across the stubble to meet the sheaf-laden drays: the patient old horse that pulled the water cart—remember them all? Memories came to life on Saturday when 11 traction engines and a steam truck chugged into a paddock at Southbrook to take part in a rally—the first of its kind ever to be held in New Zealand. Nearly 5000 persons crowded round during the day to watch them put through their paces. Men who had driven traction engines 50 years ago came from as far as Southland, a bus was chartered from Ashburton by MidCanterbury enthusists, and wideeyed children climbed over the snorting and hissing monsters. Proudest of all were the small boys whose fathers. uncles or next-door neighbours owned one

of the engines at the rally. The originator of the idea to hold the rally and convener ot the committee of owners and drivers was Mr Martin Pearson, ol Southbrook, who has spent most oi his life with traction engines used for threshing and hauling. After reading of the interest aroused in Britain by the annual rallies there, he decided to sponsor such an event

The success of the day more than exceeded his most optimistic expectations A perfect sunny day. a big attendance and he enthusiasm of the public and other owners were his reward. Several wooden threshing mills —-one built by John Anderson in Christchurch ip 1926—and two chaffcutters together with a small stationary steam engine completed the display. One of the mills was set up and slowly turned over all day. k. up in line the paddock for the grand

parade and photograph which was then followed by a slow race and reversing. A potato race made the turf quiver as the leviathans lurched forward to the markers and then lumbered back to the base line.

A serpentine race and a speed trial showed their remarkable manoeuvrability and the skill oi the driver was demonstrated in the setting up of the mill test. After uncoupling, the engine was turned and lined up with the mill for the driving belt to be connected and tested.

A parade of veteran drivers, held during the afternoon, saw the renewing of old acquaintanceships and the swopping of yarns and memories. Many of the old-timers were introduced over the public address system as they came forward. Some had their certificates of competency to drive a traction engine with them—one, issued in 1909, to Mr Ted Evans, of Fernside.

The oldest driver who took part in the parade was Mr J. Woodham, of Christchurch, who is 90 He remembers doing repairs on some of the engines in the workshops of P. and D. Duncan, Ltd. Mr Dick Holland, aged 83, took the day off from Burwood Hospital to attend the rally. The engines themselves had histories. The oldest one was a 8 h.p. McLaren, called the “Silver Fern.’* This machine was imported into New Zealand in 1905 and, because of the unreliability of an oil engine, drove the generator for the first electric light in Christchurch at the Exhibition in 1906. Later, it hauled the first load of wool out from Stonyhurs’. and. in 1908, was one of 10 engines used to take building materials from the Coalgate railway station. to the site of the Lake Coleridge power house. For this work, it was driven by Mr Fred Morris, who was also at the rally. The engine is now owned Mr A. Mackintosh, of rock.

The largest Burrell engine in New Zealand, owned by Mr Bob Hawkins, of Chaneys, was once used to haul land trains of wheat in the Ashburton County by Mr John Mclntyre. Four trailers were drawn by the engine at a spanking 20 miles per hour from the farm to the railhead.

The most modern engine was a McLaren, owned by G. W. Pearson and Sons, Ltd., of Southbrook. Built in 1926. it was the last engine to be imported into New Zealand. It headed the parade in splendour, its brasswork gleaming and its wheels painted in red and gold, setting off its jet black boiler and funnel.

Most of the traction engines today are in semi-retirement. Some disappear to the West Coast to drive sawmills. Others are used for stump pulling and the odd job of chaffcutting that comes their way. Some even end their days blowing steam into a glasshouse to grow tomatoes. But hope may yet remain Contractors have discovered that the traction engine in some way? is superior to its lordly cousin, the bulldozer. Developing its greatest power at its slowest speed, combined with its massive weight, there are some jobs still where the steam engine remains supreme. As a result of the success ot the Southbrook rally, which helped swell the funds of the local sports and hall funds, the organisers hope to stage an annual event and are considering forming a veteran steam traction engine club. The sun went down slowly on Saturday evening. As the engines and mills steamed home, the proud black smoke puffed into the sky and hung in a still, cold haze. Whether they went back to their part-time work today or to spend the long rusting winter under a tarpaulin, they had had a brief return to [glory. »