WAYSIDE HELP

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 235, 17 September 1936, Page 4

WAYSIDE HELP

Hospitality in the Urewera Country

MINISTER’S TRIBUTE

“The spirit of helpfulness and hospitality of New Zealanders—settlers and workmen alike —on the country roads of the Dominion toward the wayfarer in difficulties is generally kaown,” remarked the Hon. W. E. Parry, who arrived in Napier last night from Rotorua and Waikaremoana.

“My party and myself,” he added, “sampled in full measure those excellent traits of our people during the long and interesting motor trip through the Urewera bush, which is one of the finest scenic routes I have been privileged to see. On that wonderful thoroughfare, through virgin forest—almost the full length of it, there are engaged over 200 workmen employed by the Public works Department under the contract system—providing better travelling facilities for the motor traffic, which, 1 understand, is increasing every year.

“It is difficult successfully io negotiate by ear any road under reformation or repairs, in any season of the year, more especially in the wet period. Up to Tuesday there had been three weeks’ continuous rain in the Urewera, but the road had not been badly affected by it. It is necessary in the widening operations to fell trees, and these sometimes fall in such a position that the road becomes blocked, but the reformation work, in spite of these conditions, goes on at a fast rate. “It is the helpful spirit of the men in all circumstances that strikingly appealed to me. I could guarantee any motorist a safe passage over the road at any time, wet or fine, because of the real and spontaneous assistance of the men, always so happily rendered. That, was the experience of my party and myself. When the car stuck at obstacles, or there was spoil in the way, a squad of men, bronzed, stalwart, and lithe of limb, was energetically on the job. 1 had nothing but admiration for the readiness of the assistance the men gave; it was a feature which merits the highest commendation.” Mr Parry said that a serious fault discovered at the Owharanga stream in the radiator of the car in which he and his party were travelling would have marred somewhat the pleasantness of the balance of the trip but for the assistance and kindness of Mr R. Nattrass and Mr C. 11. Tidswell, of Ruatahuna. “Nothing is a difficulty or a trouble to these kindly and hospitable people in the Urewera,” the Minister remarked. “They show an unaffected kindness to anybody needing help, which is good to feel and appreciate. “As the fault in our car could not be repaired—though Mr Nattrass at his own instance, attempted to do so — he and Mr Tidswell were quickly to the party’s aid in arranging another car to bring us on to where Mr J. 8. Jessep and the manager of Lake House, Mr Sheffield, were kindly awaiting our arrival with a launch. That we finished the journey without much loss of time is entirely due to the generous assistance of these gentlemen—which, like that of the men working on. the road, is a characteristic so pleasant to see and to enjoy.” Included in the Minister’s party were Mrs Parry, Mr A. F. Moncur, M.P. for Rotorua, Mr J. Bennett, Department of Internal Affairs, and the Minister’s secretary, Mr E. N. G. Poulton.