A GRAPHIC STORY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 23 May 1923, Page 5

A GRAPHIC STORY.

I RESTORATION OF TELEGRAPHIC I LINE.

USE OF MAORI DEVICE

(By Telegraph.—Special to the Star.)

WELLING! OX, May 23

A grapliic story of how through telegaphic communication was restored with the South Island over a. serious break in the lines, due to the destruction of the Clarence River bridge, is told by Mr. Shrimpton, chief telegraph engineer. There was a 280 yards gap of rapid flowing torrent over which it seemed impossible to get communication. Floats were vainly tried, but washed into the nearest bank. Then the engineer thought of the peculiar shaped board used by Maoris in fishing. When they do not want their lines carried down stream they use a shaped board weighted along one edge to keep it upright. Pushed out from shore it keeps its position, making no leeway in the current. The Maori name for the contrivance is "ratiruku," meaning "throwing a snare." Utilising the timber from an old glass case, Mr. Shrimpton manufactured this contrivance, which worked splendidly, carrying the line across the gap to the engineers on the further side, when ft was a matter of comparative ease to draw the insulated wires across and restore communication.

The railway and public works engineers have already been interested in this clever device for throwing a line across a river, and Mr. Shrimpton is having drawings made of this old-time Maori scientific achievement.