BULLOCK TEAM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23828, 7 June 1939, Page 12

BULLOCK TEAM

LAST IN SOUTH ISLAND PHOTOGRAPH FOR MR SEMPLE COUNTY COUNCIL INTERLUDE The fact that what is believed to be the last bullock team in the South Island is still in work at Taieri Beach gave rise to a short but bright interlude at the meeting of the Bruce County Council yesterday. When the suggestion was made that a photograph of the team should be sent to the Minister of Public Works the idea was jocularly commended, on the grounds, among others, that the bullocks would understand the Minister's language. ' " I understand that Mr E. Whalan has the only bullock team left in the South Island," said Cr W. Moore, when moving that a letter of thanks be sent to Mr Whalan and Mr E. Laverty, of Taieri Beach, for their assistance in forming a road in the Waihola Riding. "He has a fine team and he did good work with it. " I am arranging for a photograph to be taken of the team the next time it is out on the road," he added, " and I intend sending a copy to Mr Semple." "A good idea," was the comment of another councillor. "He will appreciate it." "'I told a friend about sending a photograph to Mr Semple," Cr Moore said, " and he thought it was a good idea, too. The bullocks, he told me, would understand the Honourable Minister's language." "You had better be careful. Cr Moore." was another councillor's warning. " He'll be objecting to your remarks as he objected to the cartoon in the New Zealand Herald." Mr Whalan has a team of eight powerful bullocks which he uses chiefly for dragging logs on his property at Taieri Beach. The team is very simply yoked in the style that has been in vogue for over a century. The bullocks have great strength and can draw big loads. A bullock team pulls with a much more even power than a horse team, and there is little danger of broken harness. The eight bullocks are very quiet and are easily managed. Mr Whalan, who is naturally very proud of his unusual team, has offered to irsist the council further with his bu'locks in improving roads in the •district.