NEW ZEALAND WOODCHOPPERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17282, 25 September 1916, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND WOODCHOPPERS.

ANOTHER CONTEST. (From MALCOLM ROSS. War Correspondent with tho New Zealand Forces.) The interest in the work in the forest by members of the Pioneer Battalion, mostly Maoris, continues, and there has been another contest that has attracted a good deal of attention locally.So far the Maori has been always the victor, but the other day someone unearthed a young "pakeha" from the New Zealand Cyclists, who, it was said, would give the Maori champion "a good go.** , Tho competition took place in a forest of 50,000 acres, some 30,000 acres of which wo are cutting out for purposes of war. The cutting is done scientifically, the trees of the greatest value being left, and all trees are cut off level with the ground. The first event on this programme was the championship chop, in which Private Showry, said to be the world's champion, competed against Private Butler, Forest Control champion, and three other Maoris. After a close and exciting contest, Privato Shewry, the newcomer, was declared to be tb.6 win-*' nor. with Private Tamaki second. In the underhand chopping competition. Lance-Corporal Bannister was first and Private Butler second, Shewry being beaten by both these Maoris. A crosscut sawing competition was won by Privates Butler and Tamaki, a thick log being sawn through in the almost incredible time of twenty seconds, to the great astonishment of tho English onlookers. One of the Maoris gave an exhibition of the French style of tree-felling, and another Maori showed how the topmost branches are first cut off a big tree before it is fel'ed. - At the close of the competition General Godley presented prizes to the successful competitors.