From snow to sun

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 31, 20 January 1987, Page 3

From snow to sun

A well-known identity of the Waimarino for the last 66 years is soon to leave and in doing so, ends a family tradition that spans most of the century. Ernie Marshall was born in Ohakune in 1921, the second youngest in a family of nine children. His father Frederick (Fred) and mother Alice, moved to the district from Dannevirke, in 1907. Fred Marshall was a sawmiller by trade and was involved with the building of Gammon's Sawmill at Ohakune Junction before moving on to farming. The Marshalls lived in a small house on Horopito Road in Ohakune for some years and later shifted — to a house just down the road! Horopito Road wasappropriately nicknamed 'Marshall's Road' around that time. All of the nine children - six girls and three boys attended school in the township. Ernie's sister Edith was one of the first high school pupils in the district but he did not go on to High School. Ernie stayed until Standard 6 and then left to help on the farm. Marshall's farm was 200 acres — a lot of which was native bush which had to be cleared by hand. Ernie and his brother Cecil took over the farm in 1938. They held milking cows for many years and supplied the town. Ernie also took on agriculture contracting on several farms in the area.

In 1942, hetravelled over'seas to the Middle East to serve his country. Ernie was 'one of the lucky ones'and in 1945 returned in one piece. He arrived home to the news of his father's death. Life was harsh then — especially in mid-winter when Ernie and his brother had to feed out in 10 inches of snow which often lay on the ground for three weeks or more. One of Ernie's loves was football which he played from school days onwards. His talent with a football led him right through to the King Country representative team in 1949. He played for the Ohakune Football Club for many years and also in a young farmers team. Ernie joined the Ohakune brass band in 1930, of which his father had been a foundation member. Ernie was also a charter member of the Ohakune Lion's Club which he joined 26 years ago. Through his association with Lion's he took part in many projects including planting barley at Horopito and catering at the official opening of the Winstone Pulp Mill at Karioi. During his lifetime in Ohakune Ernie has seen some dramatic changes in the Waimarino and well remembers some of the 'characters' including 'Dirty Joe' — a bike repairman who would mend bikes on his kitchen table amidst the week before's unwashed dishes.

Ernie remembers when Ohakune's present day shopping centre was struggling for existence in Clyde Street and some of the 'originals' such as Buck's Drapery were just starting out. The main shopping area was then the Ohakune Junction. His family got their first car — a second-hand Dodge in 1936 and before that had the reliable horse and gig. He has a love of the bush and remembers when the family home was literally surrounded by stumps and there wasn't even enough room for a garden. Ernie married Joan — from Hawera, in 1985. The couple are moving to Waitotara for "a wellearned rest and some warm weather." Their new home has a large orchard and the potential to do "as little as possible", which is what Ernie intends to do. "The price was right and

the size was right," said Ernie. He has never been up the mountain and says he has no intention of doing so before he leaves. "1 have no love of snow. When you have to get out and work in it you really want nothing else to do with it," he said. Ernie insists that he hates publicity and endorses the fact with his well worn saying of "Everybody knows me". His long association with the brass band is over and many locals wonder how it will sound without Ernie's tenor horn, after all these years. One thing seems certain — when Ernie Marshall leaves the Waimarino a colourful part of local history leaves with him. The Bulletin joins the Waimarino in wishing Joan and Ernie all the best.