BACK-BLOCK ROADS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2895, 8 September 1909, Page 9

BACK-BLOCK ROADS.

• SETTLEES' DIFFICULTIES. (Fzoic Our Own Cobbespondent.) AUCKLAND, August 30. Here are two instances of what befalls those whom the exigencies of duty lead into the back-blocks of North Auckland. Last winter a settler essayed to negotiate on horseback the road route from i)argaville to Mangakahia. As a result he got bogged, and all efforts to extricate the horse failed. The next morning he returned with assistance, but found that the animal had died during the night. Despite the pulling power of two strong horses, the party -was unable to haul the carcase out of the bog, owing to the suction power, which, vyce-like, held the legs of the dead steed. As a last resource it was deemed -advisable to sever the body from the legs and haul it on the roadside for cremation. Pre&ent-day travellers may now view four bleached bones sticking out of the quagmire marking the spot of the fatality and giving warning of that danger which is imminent throughout the area covered by the miscalled Main road. Last winter also a stout-hearted settler, who had been successful in a Crown lands ballot, was conveying to his distant bush section a load of grass seed. The vehicle withstood" the intolerable jolting, but ultimately one wheel sank into a big rut, and the jaded horses were unable to shift it. Extra horses were in time obtained, but no' purchase could be secured by which their strength could avail. The settler was in despair, but tho kindly elements came to his aid. Heavy rain fell. A fresh eventuated, and in 24

hours wie flood tvater surrounded the dray. * Fortunately the bass of ' grass seed 'were firmly lashed, and this saved the situation, for they served as a float, and, the pioneer had the subsequent happiness of floating his dray and load on to bis homestead.