MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Daily Times, 16 March 1933, Page 4

MAORI MEMORIES

(lßy J.H.S. for “The Daily Times.”) INSTINCT OF THE MAOKI AND A COW. “ When the site of Palmerston North was but a bush clearing with half a dozen weatherboard huts, each with a' pungent fire of dried cow-dung at the back and front doors to ward off ‘the deadly ngaeroa (mosquito), a survey party, consisting of Alex. Dundas, Tom Drummond, Arthur Dormer and their chainman, Hori Xgapaka, were under canvas near the Bovs’ High School at the edge of the forest,- which stretched ten miles west. The beach road to Wellington was interrupted by storms, and all travel was stopped. The surveyors packed the tent and provisions on the tethered cow, which was also their portable dairy, and went to Awahuri through the trackless bush for a week’s sport, shooting pigeon and kaka, wild pigs or cattle. W hen their holiday ended, Hori strapped the traps on the patient pack milker, and the party struck for home. After eight hours' weary tramp they found a spot on the Oroua River, a mile below last night s camp, recognised by some, stranded articles of torn clothing which had been thrown into the river. Next morning being sunny, aided by a watch used as a compass, they started due east, and got through swamp and tangled wood till dark. Again they camped for the night, tired and hungry. Molly, the cow, being fed on succulent leaves, gave them half a gallon of milk. At day dawn the hungry Maori packed up and roused the bosses. To their amazement he took the halter off the .cow. and Molly, adding her instinct to that of tiie Maori, up tail and made for the permanent camp at a. gallop, followed by three swearing, surveyors. They reached home in ten minutes!