BACKBLOCK TROUBLES.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1924, Page 3

BACKBLOCK TROUBLES.

AUCKLAND, Aug. 21. A striking story of the roadless North comes from Wlmngurei, from the Kopara district, about 10 miles east of Well-lord railway station. For several months of the year the settlers there are isolated, owing to the state ol the roads during the wet season. Spring, however, brings the cows in, and the cream has to he conveyed by some mean- to the railway eti route to the factory. Not being provided with aeroplanes, the settlers tax themselves and let the job of carting tlie cream to some contractor who i- undaunted bv the ncriis of the task.

Owing to the long wet season, the conditions of travel at present are the worst known in the district's history. Last .Monday the cream contractor accumulated hi- load, which is not very’ great ins! yet. and started on the long struggle to the railway station. He had not gone far w hen his vehicle broke down under the strain. However. :t settler's turn-out was obtained, the load transferred, and another start made. The road claimed another victim, for this vehicle also came lo grief in the mild.

Itealisino how much tlie oetlino of the cream to the factory meant to the settlers, the cout rjictor, instead of civile; no. <ast round and obtained another settler's conveyance. The cream was reloaded, and off it went aval'll, lint disaster overcame the third vehicle and it also was abandoned by the roadside. Not to lie beaten, the contractor set oil' to Wellsfnrd and hroiioht back one of his own wagons, loatletl up tiojiin. and this time successlully completed the journey. Owim' to the train beiti" late he had the satisfaction of sceinu; the settlers’ produce taken as usual to the distant factory. Had he missed the train tinloss would have been serious for many strujmliiio settlers whose, load is already very heavy. The contractor’s perserverance and pluck, while modestly held to he but " part of the job,'" illustrates the lv|v of pioneer to be found within 7*l miles ol Auckland s delicht lul concrete roads.