HOW I FOUND PAUL

Wairoa Bell, Volume IV, Issue 161, 2 September 1892, Page 2

HOW I FOUND PAHI

A few weeks ago intelligence reached me that the Aratapu Junior footballers intended visiting Pahi, and playing a friendly game with that Club. Of course I determined to accompany them and now give you my “first impressions ” of that long- heard of land of wonder, On the evening previous to our departure, I was informed that the s.s. Kopuru would leave Aratapu at 4 a.m. next day, and in order to be in time I found myself unceremoniously tugged out of bed at 3.30 a.m. (I don’t think I’d been long in it), into the bitter cold of a dreary morning. Well, after a great deal of noise and much jff'eded whistling we got away ; and by daylight were several miles down the river. To describe the early part of our trip would be monotonous — everyone knows what the Wairoa scenery is like —therefore I will leave it to the imagination of those who delight in

bleak glimpses of bare cliffs. The first itn - portant event that happened was breakfast, served in excellent style by Mr Peterson. Who says “ Abdol” can't make coffee? Massey actually fell in love with his brew of tea, and by the way of apologising for the amount he drank, asked for the recipe. The doctor chalked up the number of cups, but it has slipped my memory. About eight o'clock we entered the mouth of the Otamatea river, and were much struck by the varies and beautiful scenery. Thanks to the kindness of “ Dad ” I am able to give a, minute description of it. Just at the entrance to the “ Funnel ” is a small bare Island, on one side of which is the channel leading to Port Albert and the other settlements on that liver. A little higher up wo sighted Batley Point, and the fish factory of Messrs Masefield Bros. It is reported that, at one time, when tinning fish was a, more profitable industry, this part of the river swarmed with sharks —all intent with satisfying their organs of scent ” by swimming about with heads out of the water, and. . ..but, we must draw the line. On the right bank of the river, the shore appeared high and extremely picturesque. Down to the water’s edge the bluff's and headlands wore clothed with virgin forest growth; manuka, potiutakawa, kobai, and puriri, seeming to be most abundant. “ Dad ” remarked that “the hand of man had never left its footprints there,” but we were in no humour for food, so couldn’t swallow that. The greater part of a large block of land on this side is used as a run by a Mr Coates. It extends from the mouth of the Mukatere creek right round the river to near Matakohe, and it comprises many thousands of acres of what appeared to be good stock-bearing land. About three miles below Pahi we passed Puriri Point—a hill rising up from the water’s edge to about a height of 150 feet, and wooded to the very summit. On its eastern side the water had worn away a broad face of cliff which, being entirely bare, presented a pleasing contrast to the beautiful green of the trees. A little way back from the river, we noticed what appeared to be the remains of a, pah and earthworks, but could not clearly distinguish then, owing to the distance. The next object of interest was a native church standing in a clearing on a Maori reserve, and, so far as we could see, out of sight of all human habitation. As we rounded Mark’s Point, a lofty headland on the left bank, we came in sight of that goal of our hopes, Pahi. The s s. Blanche passed us on ont- way up the river, and salutes were exchanged. Our flags were at the masthead — the whistle of the steamer roused up all the small boys, and we came to Pahi wharf about 9.30 a.m. after what wo considered a very smart passage. We at once went on shore and were soon engaged in a punt about. ‘ Dad ’ ma.de for the hotel and ordered dinner, and then several of us crossed the river to the mill of Mr Chadwick. Here we found our old genial acquaintance, Mr Pivott, and some other former residents of Aratapu, unknown to me. The mill is small, and employs but little labour, yet the output of timber is said to be very good. After a good look round the mill, we noticed a concrete building on a hill near by. On inquiry we learnt that it was a Maori halm, or in plain Irish, a acceptable for the bones of the dead maories. Of course this was ail object of interest—-the very thing- IMasey had come to see —so off we set for it. A broken window gave us means of entering, but we could not persuade Nina to come inside. Evidently ho was in the ‘ know of things,’ for no sooner were we in the building than he made for the boat and re-crossed the river: We examined the few bones in the upper part of the halm. q and had a look into the ‘lower regions’ without making any important discovery. We were about to come away empty-handed, when Masev bethought him of his best- girl at homo, and determined to secure a curio as a memento of his visit, for a present for her. He accordingly went back and managed to extract some teeth from a skull. Our naturalist from the ostrich farm, decided that they were the roots of the teeth of a full-grown female Maori. You should have heard the expressions of delight from the boys, and seen the envious looks cast upon the possessor of those “ stumps.” Me then returned to the Pahi side, and paid a visit to Mr Chadwick’s store, Here we saw some fine samples of locally grown oranges, for sale in the store ; they were not so large as Island oranges, but their quality was very good. After dinner we met some of our opponents who welcomed us to Pahi, directed us to the ground, and procured a large print to take us across the river. About 2'oo p.m, we reached the ground, and found ourselves rather early. We had a run around till the Pahi team arrived, and indulged in a little passing and scrummaging till three o’clock. By ibis time the Pahi team were ready, aud Masefloia was elected captain of our team. Mr Pivott acted as referee, assisted by Messrs Nieid and Dobson, lino umpires. Bobby won the toss and chose to play down hill with the wind. When wo lined out. it was soon that the homo team had tho advantage as far as size and weight were concerned. However, we gave them three cheers and •] . Hill kicked off for ! Pahi. Hammond returned well down (lie field j and from a fast rush, the ball went into touch ! near tho Pahi line. From tho throw in Masefield j

got across and scored nea. the corner flag. Wooliams made a grand kick and registered a poster. Koberts kicked out:, and Lio. Hitching maile a short dodging run, and passed to Hammond but Pikea brought him down and a series of lose scrums followed For Pahi offside we were allowed a free kick. Elliott punted, and V 4!■ ivi;;g m> t'mk the ball nod eav-ed out lo ' h 'Tug who made a -a, at pot—another p ester. I'Vow Ihekh'k n; .funiiesovi male a lam, but ' Y■ a; !■ si 1. 1. aaaPa id s' ari ed a. rush, hut tea- A;,..!' NThl pisked up a 7 V returned ■ If;::. "Pi 11 ie 1. i i row-i u i ’hei,; ; gut aw v ami sor d. WYoli.ams missed the goal. From the kick out Pikea followed up well, and sent the ball out at the 50 flag, but it was worked back, and Lionel ran across and scored. His kick was a failure. Roberts kicked out, and Jamieson punted high—the forwards rushed the ball to Philip at full back, who held it and gave us a true kick. Wooliams had a shot at goal but it tell short, and Masefield following up well spoilt the return and scored Ids second try. No goal. Irom the kick out tho ball went into touch. IV eeliams got away with a. dribble from tho throw in. and assisted by Keane and Beasley took the ball over the line but a force-down ensued. Pahi again kicked out, and the Pikea brothers rushed the ball up to tho Aratapu 25 where Paki kicked into touch. .From the throw in a rush headed by Vvoolloms, Phelan and Watakina took the ball ba ck to th e h alf way flag- where Hill kicked out, A knock-on from the throw in and a packed scrum followed. Masey got into that scrum, but ■something kept him out of all after it. We took the bail through aud from a fast rush Woollam scored, but the, kick was a failure. Time was then called with the score, Aratapu 10, Pahi nil. After a short interval Woollam kicked off and Phillips returned well down the field. Lionel kicked back and the forwards rushed the ball out at half-way. From the throw in a loose scrum took place and Nina ‘ marked his man ’ on the shins. We slowly worked the ball up and then Phelan passed to Masefield, (who had put C. Nieid forward ar.d was playing at half) and he passed to Paki who ran *in and scored. No goal. Do Labro-se kicked out, Hammond ran back, and kicked into touch. Woollam got away from the line and scored his second try. Hammond’s attempt was a good one—we all thought the ball went over but the referee gave it ‘ no goal ’ as the ball went under the rope. The Pikea brothers did some fast work soon after, but the boys were playing a good game and all their efforts to score were futile. From a line out near the half-way, Phelan got away and dodging the full-back had a grand race up tho field—the run of the day—and scored. Brown missed the goal. Soon after the next kick-out, a. forward rush took the ball oyer the Pahi line and Elliott scored. No goal. From the kick out, Pikea got away, but Hammond and -Hitching carried him heavily into touch. JA rush followed the throw-in and we were again near their line. Connell tried a kick, it was charged down by W. Nieid and after some smart passing by the backs Hammond ran round and scored. Phelan kicked a goal. Hammond and Kitching each scored another try. but no goals were kicked and the game ended, —Aratapu 2-5 j Pahi nil. For Pahi, Hill, Connell, and the Pikea brothers were the most noticeable, while Woolam, Hitching, Phelan, and Hammond played good games for tho visitors. The utmost good feeling pervaded throughout the match, and the referee was never disputed. Pahi are a newly formed team, and possess more strength and energy than knowledge of football. They play a good-tem-pered game, and with practice should make a good team. After the match wo were entertained at a dinner in the hotel. The doctor wanted to show liis white vest but the other ‘toffs’ objected strongly, and under pain of being battened down in the hold, he was forced to relinquish the idea. However it did not matter much—there were only two ladies to be seen —and both married. After dinner the room was cleared and a social evening' spent. Numerous songs wore sung, and Jack quite ‘ astonished the natives’ by his stepdancing and funny song's. Our ‘skipper’ made an eloquent speech thanl-ang the Pahi team fcrc their kind treatment, and expressed the hope that we would have the pleasure of meeting them., and returning- their hospitality at a future timet Mr J , Hill replied and~said the Aratapu Juniors were the best tempered team he had ever met. His team were new at the game, but he hoped that ‘ practice would make them in time good players.’ Cheers were given and ‘ Jolly Good Fellows ’ sung ; and then Te Kooti called for three cheers for the referee, Mr Pivott, He said he was pleased to note the firm way in which the referee acted, and was sure h& had given every satisfaction. Mr Nieid followed in the same strain, and then Mr Pivott replied, after which Neho alias ‘ Leak-eye ’ made himself heard, and things becarnp lively. Masey aud a few others took themselves to bed, the rest, kept-, the fun going- till midnight when the gathering' broke up. At 6 a .in. on Sunday we started on our return trip. Some of the people came down to see us off, and we gave three cheers for Pahi, then faint murmurs of : I wish I was hack in Aratapu’ were heard. Breakfast: on board at 8 a.m. and then when Grossing to Beacon Point we found the bottom. We had only to wait a short time as& the tide was rising, and we were sacm across. Here the Zephyr came alongside and we received our first btflo oyation, Fairy tales in the forecastle and reading on deck were the only amusements (except Nina’s sickness and its cure) and we arrived home about twelve thoroughly well pleased with our visit. In conclusion I would remark that Pahi is a prot.y place ; though very q nor, and to most of our young fellows, monotonous. However, even that could be remedied-—for one was beard to remark that ‘ it would drive anyone to married life. 5 Poor Bob !is that the only refuge, the last forlorn hope of a single state f