The Rangitikei Punt
In the early days of Rangitikei there was no bridge on the main road between Sanson and Bulls. All trailic had to be carried over the river on a punt aud the punt-keeper was quite a character. At that time, the only doctor in the district resided at Marton, and made a weekly tour of his district which extended as. far as Rougotea. On one occasion he arrived at the ferry at about noon and. as often happened, was invited in to share the meal with the punt-keeper and his wife. During the meal the punt-keeper said, “I have a small job for you, doctor. If you do it—it will not take you five minutes —I will put you across the river free.” The doctor demurred, saying that professional services could not be exchanged in that way and that he must have his fee. “In that case, doctor, I can’t have it done and you will not get across the riven If you want to get to Rougotea to-day, you must perform this small service for me or I will not put you across the river.” Being a wise man, the doctor capitulated, and after operating on the puntkeeper’s child for a tied tongue, was ferried across. — M.D. (Hastings).
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19370313.2.179.2
Bibliographic details
Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 143, 13 March 1937, Page 23
Word Count
212The Rangitikei Punt Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 143, 13 March 1937, Page 23
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