Motueka: Apples, Tobacco and a Victory

Te Ao Hou, Spring 1952, Page 62

Motueka: Apples, Tobacco and a Victory The boys very soon became friendly, and despite being told that they were better in bed as a Tonga (Southerly) had not yet blown itself out, they continued in their songs and merry-making until they left the shelter of Whanganui a Tara (Wellington Harbour) and breasted Te Moananui a Kiwa. It was here that Tangaroa, the God of the Sea, made his presence felt, and within a few minutes not a player was seen on deck. Indeed not a player was seen until next morning, when the ship berthed at Nelson in fine sunny weather. Motueka greeted the players with brilliant sunshine, as well as with a welcome Apart from training, members of the team derived great interest and pleasure from a visit to the apple dehydration plant, a factory which processes the dried apples which we see in shops throughout New Zealand. After a talk by the manager of the plant, the team was invited to inspect the interior, and the first sight that greeted us when we entered was the long machines, whose metal fingers were forever stretched out to be fed with apples. The apples were peeled and cored by this machine, and rolled along a chute, where girls inspected them for any further flaws, before they went through the drying process and were finally packed for distribution, overseas as well as in New Zealand. Among the 40 girls who operated the machines for coring and peeling were many Maoris, and it was but a matter of a few minutes before the Maori boys were sitting down feeding apples to the machine and to themselves, and talking to the girls. This was a most enjoyable visit. The next visit at Motueka was to a tobacco grower's farm, where tobacco leaf was being graded. Here again a number of Maori workers were met, and of course relations were soon sorted out. The boys were shown the method

The New Zealand Maori Rugby Team which played the New Zealand Team at the match held in Wellington on July 26 in honour of the departing Governor General, Lord Freyberg. Back Row: P. Hapi (Hawkes Bay), T. Katene (King Country), R. T. Gardiner (Bay of Plenty), A. H. Wright (W.R.F.U.), R. S. Clarke (Northland), T. D. Kipa (Wanganui), G. Parahi (Hawkes Bay). Second Row: N. P. Cherrington (Northland), A. Pryor (Bay of Plenty), B. W. Beazley (Northland), S. K. McLaughlin (Bay of Plenty), E. Murray (Bay of Plenty), B. K. Jones (Wanganui), T. J. French (Auckland), W. Tangira (East Coast). Sitting: S. T. Reid, Selector (M.A.B., Hawkes Bay), T. A. French, Selector (M.A.B., Auckland), A. W. Blake, Vice-captain (Wairarapa), H. T. Reedy, Co-manager (M.A.B., East Coast), J. B. Smith, Captain (Northland), R. M. Love, Co-manager (Wellington), L. W. Hohaia (Taranaki), E. Edwards, Selector (M.A.B., Taranaki), R. Tapa (M.A.B.). In Front: P. N. Jones (Wanganui), A. J. Douglas (Bay of Plenty), K. Davis (Auckland), P. Erceg (Auckland). —Crown Studio, Wellington, Photo. of grading the leaf, and how the drying kilns were operated. The process factory operated by W. D. and H. O. Wills was next on the list. The Huimai Maori Club entertained the team at a very enjoyable dance, a highlight being Percy Erceg, the All Black, on the microphone entertaining the hundreds present. The first match to be played on the tour was against Motueka-Golden Bay; the Maori team won, 37–3. Two Maoris played in the Golden Bay-Motueka team—W. Taylor, who went with the Maori team to Australia in 1949, and G. Rangi. Lance Hohaia, Taranaki, captained the Maori team, with Percy Erceg, of Auckland, vice-captain.