LOADING IN SURF

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22256, 2 November 1935, Page 10

LOADING IN SURF

BACK-COUNTKY WOOL USE OF BULLOCK TEAMS PICTURESQUE SCENE OF TOIL

Revolutionary changes in the transport of wool from back-country stations have takon place in the past decade. Where the picturesque, hut slow, bullocks used to trundle over rough tracks with their heavy loads, motor-lorries now speed over good motallpd roads and cover the distance in a fraction of the time. Thero aro still, however, a few places on the east coast of tho North Island where the- old method survives. At Akitio, 40 miles cast of Dannevirke, /an old drover and his team of bullocks bring back memories of tho early days. At tho height of the shearing season large loads of -svool from sheep stations near Akitio aro taken by motor-lorries to a shed near the beach, and from this point the bullocks are employed in taking the wool to surf boats, which transfer it to a steamer at anchor nearly a mile off the shore. Patient Animals The coastline at Akitio is exposed to the full strength of the Pacific Ocean, and favourable conditions for loading have to be awaited. On a sunny day, with a light breeze from the land, the animated scenes on the beach and water give a touch of colour rarely seen to-day. Bales nre piled on an old wooden dray, and the veteran bullocks —a vivid contrast in colours, with splashes of brown, black and white — start off in a slow procession on their short journey to tho water. Urged by the sharp cracks of a whip and the cries of the i drover, they pull their load over the heavy sand into tho sea, to a depth of 4ft., and await the arrival of a surfboat. ' There is usually a gentle ocean swell breaking on the beach, but, apart from lifting their heads high in the air, the bullocks stand patiently while the sea sweeps over thoir bodies. At times only their heads can bo seen above the waves. Working Against Time In marked contrast to this primitive method of transport is the modern Burf boat, equipped with an oil engino, ■which makes contact from the bullock dray to /the steamer. The surf-boat cruises alongside the dray, lines are thrown out and the boat is made fast. Tii spite of the greatest care in handling, tho boat is sometimes tossed against the standing bullocks by the ocean swell, but the beasts remain unperturbed. , The surf-boat having been loaded, it sets off for the ship,- where steam winches 'throb busily as they transfer the bales from boat to hold. The bullocks return for another load. The work goes on all day, and with the greatest speed possible, for it must be done while conditions are favourable. It is thirsty work, as is shown by the group of women and children who wait on the beach with hot tea for the men.