New Zealand Wood-choppers

Horowhenua Chronicle, 23 September 1916, Page 2

New Zealand Wood-chopp-ers

— ♦ ANOTHKIt CONTKST. lil'T NOTHING AIiOKT THE WAK. (From Malcolm Res*, .X.Z. flovi'miiio:.t War Correspondent with the New Zealand Forces.) Tlic intercut in the work in the forest liv members of the Pioneer Battalion — mcstly Maoris— ontinuos, and there li si bowl another contest that hn« attracted a <i< o I dead of attention locally. .So tar the Maori boon always tin* victor. but the other day someon:unearthed a young "pakoha" from the Now Zealand Cyclists who. it was said, would give the' Maori champion "a good go." The competition took place in n forest of -";0.000 acres, some 30,000 acres of which we are cut. ting down for purposes of the war. The cutting is dnno scientifically, the tree*, of the greatest commercial value being left, and all trees are cut off level with tin; ground. The iirst event on this program was the championship chop, in which Private Slicwry, said to lie the world's champion, competed against Private Hut'or. Forest Control champion, and three other Maoris. After a clcse and exciting contest.' Private Shewrv. the newcomer, was declare*! to be the winner, w!tlT Private Taniaki second* Tu the underhand chopping competition. Lance-Corporal Bannister was and Private Butler sreond. Shewrv being beaten bv bofli tin so Maoris. A cross-cut sawing competition was won by Privates Butler and Tanifiki. a thick log being sawn through in the almost incndib'o time of twenty seconds, to tlio groat, astonishment of tlic English onlookers. One of the Mioris gave an oxhihition of the ■French stylo of tree-felling, and another Maori showed how the topnwt ?■ ranches are fir.st cut off n hie treo At the close of the competition General God ley presented prizes to the .suebefore it is felled. cess fill competitors.