CHOPPED TOES OFF

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 110, 9 April 1926, Page 9

CHOPPED TOES OFF

AXEMAN’S- INJURY SHOW. KEPT ON CHOPPING AND WON EVENT. SYDNEY, April 1. The Easter Show was responsible for an extraordinary exhibition of bush pluck. Champion axemen from all over the Commonwealth gather at the show each year and contest many wood-chopping events. Intense interest is shown in these contests, especially by the visitors, for the axemen are all splendid physical specimens, and can wield their razor-like blades with extraordinary skill. Joe McKenzie, trained axeman from the Hastings river, has been a contestant for many years. This year ho won his heat and contested the final of the 12-inch underhand log chop. During the progress of the final, in attempting to shave off the last few chips to sever the timber, McKenzie’s axe slipped and gashed into his foot. The blade took off the second too cleanly, and almost severed his great toe and his third toe. Ho staggered and slipped off his log, but recovered, and pluckily continued the chopping until lio had won tho event. Then ho hobbled to the fence and collected his coat. Some of the spectators fainted, but he was tho most unconcerned when ambulance men ripped away his sock and bandaged the wound. Later he was taken to hospital for treatment, still smiling. Interviewed later, ho was still able to see humour in the situation. “I could only win seven more events liko that,” he said “because I have only seven good toes left.” Spectators, and his rivals in the wood-chopping events, sent round tho hat when the news got round that he had cut his foot, and they raised £l3 on the spot.