LAST WOOL SHIPMENT

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXIX, Issue 4669, 14 March 1935, Page 3

LAST WOOL SHIPMENT

NUKUHAKERE STATION.

SURF BOATS FINISH THEIR WORK.

When the coastal steamer Parera arrived at the port of New Plymouth on Friday last with a large consignment of wool from Messrs. King Bros. Nukuhakere station it brought to an end a quaint and interesting phase in the marketing of wool from the west coast. Last week’s loading was the final shipment of wool from the Nukuhakere station by surf boat and steamer, and in future the wool will be brought out by road. The facilities of the most poorly served river port have been unknown to the residents of Nukuhakere, and surf boats have in the past been the only means of carrying the heavy and bulky bales of wool from the shore to the ship lying a quarter of a mile off shore. Thrills in plenty are provided as the heavily laden boats ply their way through the treacherous breakers to the vessel lying at anchor outside the breaker line. Those who made the trip to Nukuhakere last week speak enthusiastically of their exciting experiences shooting the surf in the cleverly constructed surf boats. For years the surf boats have plied from shore to ship propelled by powerful oars. However, on this bccasion an entirely novel method was introduced which made it possible to

load 332 bales in a comparatively short period. Simplicity marked the method adopted. A three-inch rope was run from the to an anchor high up on the beach. Using the rope as a lever the twelve Maoris who manned the surf boats pulled the boats through the tumbling breakers.

Masters at the Work.

Thirty Maoris, each a past master at his work, were employed to do the work. First the wool was conveyed to the water’s edge in a dray hauled by seven pairs of oxen. Two Maoris pushed the boat seaward until the water was waist deep. Despite its bulk four men then lifted a bale on to their shoulders, waded out to the boat and dumped the wool aboard. Six bales in all were stacked in such a manner that the rope from the ship to shore could run doWn the centre of the boat. A dozen Maoris scrambled aboard, and all was ready for the trip out.

At each end of the boat a rope was half hitched over the rope running from shore to the ship, and by this means the boatmen were able to brake the action of the boat. Pulling on the rope with mighty heaves the Maoris sent the surf boat shooting through the surf. If a tremendous wave approached the boat would be swamped. “Back,” ordered the Maori captain. Instantly the boat came to a stop, but only momentarily. Working with mechanical precision, the Maoris propelled that boat back, and then reaching the desired position, awaited the approaching wave. Breaking as it came, the wave dashed against the bow of the boat, flying water high into the air and drenching the boatmen. Then at the summit of the wave the Maoris commenced to pull seaward, the boat flashing through the water at a terrific speed. Stopping, backing and manoeuvring into position, each wave was ridden in masterly fashion until the captain called “blue water,” and the laden boat, its cargo now wet to a certain extent, slid gracefully into calm water.

Misha'ps Occur. |

Fortune does not always favour the boatmen, and occasionally mishaps occur. A sandbank running the length of the beach was the cause of considerable trouble at high tide. Forced up the beach by the incoming tide the boatmen found it necessary to cross the sandbank on occasions. It sometimes happened that the water

was not sufficiently deep to float the boats over, and they grounded. Huge waves soon flooded the boats, and the cargo became sodden. Bale after bale was thrown overboard, secured by a rope and hauled ashore to dry. Three times the boats were swamped, and their cargoes brought ashore, by the Maoris, who incidentally are always wet through while at work.

The Parera loaded 89 bales on Friday (the last day of surfing)' between 6 a.m. and 11.45 a.m., and was clear of the bay by 12.30 p.m. Th« boats averaged from 17 to 20 minutes from the time they left the ship’s side, went ashore, loaded and returned. Those who for the first time experienced the thrill of riding the surf under such conditions, were enthusiastic in their reference to the skill of the Maoris.

The shooting of the surf at Nukuhakere has taken place for the last time and when the Parera arrived at New Plymouth she brought one of the surf boats, which is at present lying between Moturoa< wharf and the breakwater. It attracted considerable attention on Saturday. Nukuhakere station is some 10,000 acres in area and a few miles in from the landing bay a 300-acre swamp divides the property. The old homestead and woolsheds were built between the swamp and the sea, about two miles from the coast, and the only means of exit for the wool was by sea. Recently a hew shed was built on the inland side of the swamp, and with the construction of a mud load it is now possible to transport the products of the station to markets by road. The new shed was used for the first time this season, and already 150 bales are awaiting a successful tenderer to convey them to the markets. The cargo loaded by the joj dtp eqi previous two years.—Taranaki News.