THE IRON HORSE

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXX, Issue 4874, 23 July 1936, Page 5

THE IRON HORSE

MR. T. H. CLARIDGE’S REMINISCENCES. TAUMARUNUI’S FIRST STREET CLEANERS. We are in receipt of an interesting little booklet, entitled “The Iron Horse,” written by Mr. T. H. Claridge, who founded the Taumarunui Press in 19Q6 (states the Press). Mr. Claridge’s knowledge of the towns and settlements on the Main Trunk Line is extensive and, although the verse in parts may not conform strictly with poetic standards, the completed work is both amusing and instructive. The author relates the following humorous anecdote. concerning the early days of Taumarunui:— “In the year 1907 the local body of Taumarunui was responsible for a ‘big joke.’ The ‘town council’ was appointed under the Native Townships Council Act, a measure introduced by a Maori member of the House. The local body consisted of four Europeans and one Maori. The council suffered acutely from financial impecuniosity, in fact it had no revenue except from dog licenses, which the natives wouldn’t pay! The township was growing and had promising potentialities. There were no proper streets nor paths, and on the foot-tracks the numerous Maoris threw .the residue of smoked fish, mutton birds, bananas, etc. One brainy member of the council proposed that two pigs be bought to act as street scavengers. Agreed to, and two members went 70 miles to a stock sale and returned with three robust hogs. The other three members passed a vote of censure because the number authorised had been exceeded, but it was explained that they had been procured at bargain prices. The primest pig escaped and walked away into the bush. The other two soon showed they preferred possibly tasty fernroot to fishless scales and evacuated banana skins. The councjl voted them downright rascals for rooting up the paths as they did and gave them to the Maoris for a big feast.” The author relates another humorous incident at Palmerston North. “Years ago trains left Palmerston for Wanganui and Foxton simultaneously in the afternoon. The trains were backed up close to each other. A Maori youth, for a joke, coupled up each rear van and waited for results, remarking, ‘Pai korri, I pack Wanganui!’ When started neither train moved, much to the surprise of the officials. The youth confessed and was fined 40s or three days in ‘chokee.’”