PRIDE OF TOKAORA FARM

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1940, Page 6

PRIDE OF TOKAORA FARM

indestructible truck utility belies looks 28 years' good service

What is waste in the hands of one man can often become a profitable proposition in the hands of another. Second hand iron, motor-car cases, and a large number of other articles which have served their lot in the towns find their way into the country, " where economically-minded farmers turn them to good use .in the working of their farms. An example of what can be accomplished by a iarmer with a mechanical turn of mind is that of Rebina, the 22-year-old truck on the farm of Mr. H.' J. Findlay, Tokaora. Of 1912 vintage Rebina was probably better known to the public of Hawera as the smartly painted truck which did the daily round for a firm of cordial manufacturers for many years. Time marched op, however, and the firm came to the conclusion that Rebina had served her days of usefulness in the town, and she was sold to Mr. Findlay for £5. Useful and Economical. The change from town to country life appears to have had a rejuvenating effect upon the pride of 1912, for to-day she is still going strong. Her dilapidated appearance has led to jests and underestimation of her ability, and there are men in the district who confess that on more than one occasion Rebina has by her exploits in the harvest field called their bluff. With her .gears fixed at low she covers the ground at a pace that gives the lie to the suggestion that she has "Utlived her usefulness. Far from it, for in addition to achieving results in good time she does so without undue cost to her owner, With harrows drawn up at the rear Rebina rattles over eight acres an hour at a cost of 3d an acre, while with two gallons of petrol it is possible to mow, rake with side delivery, sweep and rake and clean up an acre of hay. According to the conditions it is possible with a distributing attachment to topdress between six and eight acres of land in an hour. ~ On one occasion four tons of manure was put on 24 acres in three hours. Nothing to look at, Rebina is still the pride of the farm and gives the impression that she will be for many years to come.