The Takahe Stud

Press, 19 October 1976, Page 12

The Takahe Stud

RAPHAEL J. MACLOUGHLIN

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Penny and Garth’ were relieved when the large frame of Rory O’Donnell emerged from the Land Rover. “Sorry I’m late, Garth, I got delayed last night. You know how hard it can be to tear yourself away from people in town,” said Rory, jerking his thumb in the direction from which he had just come. “That’s all right, Rory,

Somewhat recovered from his fight of the night before with Rory O’Donnell, Wayne now stood beside Malcolm, as an employee of the Takahe Timber Company relayed their foreman’s instructions to them. “We’ve loaded your rig,” said the man, indicating a heavy truck parked on a slight rise overlooking young trees. “Take that load to the debarker, stay on the main road, the debarker’s just

Even as Wayne spoke, smoke from the stack of a foreign fishing vessel, borne on the breeze, rose towards New Zealand skies. Gulls circled and recircled the trawler

we were just getting' a bit worried about you.” Well, if you want to get a few hours sleep, that’s okay, people can be tiring depending on how you take them,” added Garth, dryly. “Garth, you might be a brother, we can both speak the truth and make it acceptable.” Rory, now turned his attention to

past the Takahe Stud, you can’t miss it.” Moments later the large truck was speeding along the main road. Wayne, at the -wheel, was enjoying his new role as truckie. “The Takahe Stud sure takes up a lot of land, Malcolm. “It certainly does, Wayne and . . . wait a minute, are you thinking what I am ?” “What do you mean ?”

as it headed towards its desination. At the ship’s stem two men were engaged in earnest conversation. Now and again their voices rose

Penny. “Come on, lass, I’ll saddle up and we’!! both be training that horse.” “Hmm!” mused Garth, as Penny and Rory departed, “he certainly changed the conversation. I wonder what did delay him last night, apart from the fight? Seems I’ll have to be careful and keep an eye on Rory.”

“The stud’s land would be a good storage and distribution centre for our consignment when it arrives. It’s on the main road, we store our stuff in a handy place and pick some of it up everytime we make a delivery to the debarker. And as far as anybody’s concerned, we’re merely out on another run, delivering logs.” “It’s a perfect set-up, Malcolm. When DO we get our stuff ?”

in anger over a point of disagreement. At last a mutual agreement was arrived at and a singing nasal voice repeated: “In three days time, three days time!”