N.Z WOODCHOPPERS

Nelson Evening Mail, 23 September 1916, Page 2

N.Z WOODCHOPPERS

ANOTHER CONTEST IN FRANCE. (From Mafcolm. Ross, "War Correspondent /wd'th. the New Zealand Forces.) The interest in the work in the forest '.by onemibers of the Pioneer Battalion, mostly Maoris, continues, and there has been another contest that has attracted a good deal of attention locally. >S? far the .Maori has always been the vector, 'but the other day someone unearthed a young "ipjakeha" from the New Zealand Cyclists,, who, it was said, would give the Maori champion "a good go." The competition took place in a forest of 50,000 acres, some 30,000 acres of which we are cutting out for purposes of war. The cutting is dome scientifically, the trees of the greatest value foefng left, and all trees are cut off level with the ground. The first event on this programme was the championship chow, in which Pte. She-wry, said to be the world's champion, competed against Pte, Builer," Forest Control Champion, and) three «ther Maoris. After a close and excit- J ing contest, Pte.. Shemry, the new- j comer, waa declared to be the winner, with. Pte. Tamaki second. In the -underhand chopping competition, ■Lsi.-Gc|l. Bannister was first; and Pte; Butler second, Shewry 'being ibeatem by both ■these Maoris. A cross>cut sawing competition was won >by Ptes. Butler and Tamaki,. a thick log being sawn through in., the almost incredible time of 20 seconds, to the great astonishment of the 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 felled!. At the close of the competition General ■ Gbdley presented prizes to the j successful comigietitors.