Open/Close Toolbox
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 New Zealand License
Format: Story
Linked To
Location (city or town)
Comments
AddBy: Darren Jaimz Smith23rd Aug 2025 8:41PMDigby darling haha that would be my grandfather keith Digby-Smith ? he always was a prat.
Copyright
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 New Zealand LicenseThis licence lets you distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon this work, even commercially, as long as you credit us for the original creation. This is the most accommodating of the licences offered, in terms of what you can do with our works licensed under Attribution.
Menu
West Coast Humour from Trevor Scott
My Story
Description Trevor Scott We the Scott Family came from Devon England arriving in NZ in 1953, on the TSS Captain Cook. I was at the tender age of 44 when my Dad & I cracked a bottle of Dr Johnny Walker. We were trying to get to the bottom of a few things ( The bottle mainly ) I said to Dad what made you bring us to NZ? He said to me...well he was in the British Army in the Royal Engineers and was touring North African and North Italy, When they were in North Africa they had an attachment of Kiwis assigned to them. Dad said you never saw such a rag-tail bunch in all your life, they were unshaven, the cloths just hung on them, they were always smoking and playing cards, always laughing and joking and when they worked with their officers they called them by their first names. Dad said in the British Army they would shoot you for doing any of those things, we actually thought that we had to look after these blokes. As they did not look like they could look after themselves, Dad said, but when the fighting started, bloody hell you should see those Kiwis Fight after that we had a lot of respect for those guys. After the war Mum & Dad worked hard but could never come right, so he read a piece in the paper where they were asking for Carpenters to come to NZ. Dad thought well if that country is just 1/2 as good as those men in the war, it would be a mighty country to live in. Asking Mum if she would like to move to NZ .....Poor Mum being a country woman from DEVON thought it was another town about 5 mile down the road. Mum asked Dad if they could come home weekends? Dad said Nye lass once we're gone we're gone for good. Both of them now will never leave New Zealand.
Time meant nothing in Otira, I left around 74-75 to Go to Springfield. Remember Ernie Power Viv? we were at his place for a party one night and some one wanted to go to the toilet ( Out House ) BUT you couldn't sit down because it was full!! mentioned it to Ernie and he said he needed a hand to shift it over the new hole he had dug, Ernie in his truck with rope around Toilet and 4 of us at the back pushing ( Pitch Dark) I said to young Brian don't push from the middle of the toilet...but he did! Next came a hell of a yell as the toilet moved off the old hole and was heading to the new hole. Brian went down on one knee as his other leg went into some very old and soft material, right up to the family jewels.
We positioned the Out house over the new hole and went inside to finish drinking, Brian stayed out side the window and we handed the drinks to him. Can't remember how or what time we went home, but I do know Brian was in the shit one way or the other. Great night had by all.
I could get jailed for this......My stint on the railways: We were at Jacksons Yard, and told to dig a hole for the brand new shiny Out house delivered by the carpenters from Greymouth. It was very hard digging and very hot that day, every time we dug we came across some huge rocks. Bill Ryder said he would go home to Inchbonnie and get some dynamite he used on the farm, and blow the hole or we will be there for ever trying to shift the rocks. Bill shot home and he inserted the plugs into a hole we had made, we hid behind the old station house that was there. Bill lit the fuse and joined us, there was a bang and when we had a look the rocks had been blown up but went straight back into the same hole again. Bill said I will fix it next time so shot home and came back with some more big plugs, we rammed 7 plugs down the new hole lite the fuse and we hid. What a hell of a bang, rocks were falling on the roof of the house making a hell of a racket. We ventured out and there was dust every where, looking up we could see old Tom Eden's out side waving a fist at us, It seemed the rocks reached his roof too!! Just then coming through the dust was the IPW Inspector of Permanent Way on his little jigger, he asked me what all the dust was about and all I could say was we just had a willy willy through the yard didn;t you see it?? He asked me what were we doing and I said putting a toilet hole down for the new toilet. He looked around and said where is the toilet....it was no where in sight, I said it has to be delivered yet!! Looking way over into the bush you could just make out a shiny new piece of iron in the trees. When I talked to the Carpenters they said it should be there...I said no!! then the Carpenters blamed the local farmers for pinching it...they delivered a new one a week later. The hole was so big we had to use sleepers to hold back the earth and rocks and back filled behind the sleepers. This is a true story I was there.
Remember the Blackball Centennial where you and the tremors were playing? We started Friday night drinking at the pub, and we were all drinking together until you fellows had to go on and do stint on stage. Then you would all come back to the pub and carry on drinking again until you were called on stage again, this went on all weekend. The publican had cleared all the furniture into the dinning room to make room for more customers, including bedding and mattresses every thing was stacked up in there. Around 3am on the Sunday morning I told you that I would be in the Dinning room having a sleep, about 7am you were coming into the dinning room with Paul looking for me when the publican saw you and asked what were you doing ? you and Paul sad you were looking for your Mate ( Me) he said there will be no one in there but furniture. Paul said are mate said he would be in there so we will look, I was sound asleep under a mattress under a table. The Old Publican couldn't believe his eyes when he saw me, all he said was bugger me. We all left the pub and got a lift home in a VW beetle, coming down the hill ( who ever was driving ) didn't take the corner to well and we ended up in the cemetery. I am not sure if it was you Jim or Paul, but one of you woke up and looked around at all the headstones and said we are dead and went back to sleep.
We had a hell of a job getting out of there but not a head stone was touched .....how we did it I do not Know!!!
Richard Leach Hullo Brian.. Trev and I were going to Reefton for a day run and picked up a middle age hiker in Trev's fathers station wagon . Somewhere outside Ahaura a long downhill run when we were doing 95mile an hour we started to count up until we were doing the big ton when we ran out of hill this poor sod suddenly remembered he had a friend who lived not far away so could we stop and let him out we saw him in Reefton a couple hours later .
14 hrs · Unlike · 1
That day we were standing in the Otira Pub looking out the window toward what used to be the old shop, ( Now Sad Sack & Shirley's home and their 8 kids) there was a long ladder up against the House and Sadsack was on the roof. It took us a while to figure out what he was doing.....and then it all came clear, the kids were carrying the white leghorn chooks up the ladder. Sadsack would take the chooks off the kids and drop them down the chimney, we all started to roar with laughter when after a bit the chooks one by staggered out the front door onto the porch shaking themselves. When they started shaking a black cloud came off their bodies and went every where, the poor chooks didn't have time to get their thoughts straight, when the kids grabbed them and took them back up the ladder again. Sadsack again dropped the chooks down the chimney and again out the front they came staggering and shaking the soot of themselves. A Little while later Sack joined us at the hotel....it appears that Shirley his Wife came back from Greymouth and found the sitting room full of soot...Sadsack in his keenness to get the chimney swept, forgot to put some thing up to block the chooks from entering the sitting room. He thought the kids were bringing up fresh chooks to him......NOT the ones that had already had a spiritual moment of Tunnel itis!!! We said that you have to go home some time Sack, and he reckons it wouldn't be this side of Xmas.
12 hrs · Like
Another one comes to mind when again we were at the pub looking toward Sack & Shirley's place ( We always seem to be at the pub??) Sack had just bought this heavy DE'SOTO car, it was parked out front of the house and the kids were using the water hose to ( What I thought was washing the car) Sack was standing beside me when he let out a hell of yell and started pushing at the window sash to open it...it was stuck fast so Sack gave it an extra hard hit and shove, all the time yelling at his kids at the top of his lungs. Then I realised what all the commotion was about, the young Angels were filling his petrol tank up, as you could see the flap open and water gushing back out .....She was Full. My excited mate got so carried away that with the extra shove, the whole sash fell out onto concrete veranda and smashed the glass. Sack was leaning through the window still yelling and waving his fists at the little Angels.....By this time Sack was yelling at a dust cloud caused by many little feet heading away from Sack, Home and a full tank Car at a great rate of knots!! I think the kids survived the ordeal...That time!!
Your right Carol, Jimmy Ilton & Bill Ryder were like chalk and cheese, you couldn't get two more different people. Old Bill was wide awake to any going ons, the old bugger was cunning...but I liked him a lot. He used to come into our house in Otira just for a visit, ( and I think to tease my wife) one day he came in and sat on the sofa in the sitting room between my wife and I, he was talking away to me and I could see that my wife was getting upset with Bill. She asked him to kindly shut up, in that English accent of hers, as she wanted to listen to Coronation Street. That was all Bill needed for and entrance and proceeded to tell her what he thought of the program, he told my ex that Princes Ann was the only person he knew that could eat an apple through a tennis racket. Where upon my ex asked him to leave Bill said NO I came to talk to Trevor, my ex very indignant by this time said "WELL" I shall ignore you then. Old Bill stayed until the end of the program then said his good bys, he winked at me and left. My ex told me not to invited "THAT MAN AGAIN" But you who knew Bill that was no deterrent!! we saw him again .....me more so because I worked with him.
Again standing at the window of the Pub looking down on Shirley and Sacks home, when Sack was talking to Shirley. We couldn't hear what they were saying but it seems that the DESOTO had a flat battery, and Sack was going to tow the car to get it started. He hooked up the car to his car ready to tow, Now if anyone knows Otira. Coming from the railway yard to go to the pub you had to cross a bridge, also a little foot bridge goes to the Post Office further along. Beside Sack's house and the Post office & Post Office house there is a dusty road which connects to the main road further down, Now between the Race where the bridges and the dusty road are there is a strip of high broom and scrub separating the two. Sack headed off in his car towing the DESOTO and Shirley was suppose to steer the DESOTO, the DESOTO was pointed towards the shrubbery when Sack took off....the towed car headed into the shrubbery...Sack just kept driving. Sacks car dragged the DESOTO around the way Sack was going, DESOTO wheels still in the straight ahead position thus being forced into following Sacks Car....but not on the road!! it followed all the way through the tall Lupin, Broom and Manuka. As you can imagine it was hard towing for Sacks car, and us watching from a good vantage point saw Sacks head protrude from his car window looking back at the DSOTO in the scrub. Sack decided to stop his car and walked back to see what the hell Shirley had done wrong. Well there was a lot of waving arms and jumping up and down and Sacks Face went a bright red colour. ( Good thing we couldn't Hear ) He wrenched open the drivers door reached in and did some thing, slammed the door and stomped back to his car. Once again Sack proceeded to tow the DESOTO, which in turn decided to follow the towing car obediently, coming out of the scrub and following behind the towing car ON the dusty road. We learnt later that there is a little silver switch which locks the steering at the base of the column, NO ONE told poor Shirley about it.....but she sure knows now. FUN and Games had in Otira.
There was 4 of us one night working at Arthur's Pass, the idea of us being there was to make sure the point switches did not clog up with snow, as the blade opened & shut it packed up the snow and then the switch would be kept open and a train coming would head off onto another track. We would pour a little petrol onto the packed snow and it would melt away letting the switch work it's magic again...until it froze up again. There was a little hut beside the yard and that is where we thawed out and had our breaks between trains, well we were sitting there one night and we heard this scrambling noise on the tin roof. We all knew what it was...those pesky Kea's again, one in particular was a very cheeky parrot and would swing down from the top of the door frame upside down and glare at us inside. This little bugger kept it up for a long time and often, we had the door open as the little pot belly stove was red hot and we needed to let out the heat or perish in there. The Kea took off...or we thought he did, the next thing you could here scrambling on the roof. Then a rattle, rattle, rattle down the side of the roof and a clunk when it hit the guttering. The little bugger was prying off the lead head off the nails in the roof, and it was rattling down the side of the roof. My mate Ray said we should catch the bugger, so we laid a trail of bread from the doorstep into the hut just passed the door. Ray hid behind the door ready to shut it the moment the Kea came in, ( they are not a stupid bird) as Kea was eating his way along the bread line he cocked his head to one side and looked at Ray behind the door. He was looking through the gap where the hinges and door met, he hesitated for a while but hunger, greed or curiosity got the better of him, so he carried on into the Hut. At the precise moment Ray slammed shut the door only just shutting off his means of escape, that was when the fun started. That kea ran all around the floor under table and chairs and flew around the little hut, it must have been a little to hot for him as after a while he was out of breath and Ray threw his coat over him. Well let me tell you some thing those fellow can really fight, and it didn't take him long to make hole in Ray's jacket just big enough to stick his head through. We ended up putting a bucket on top of it until we were ready to go home, the trip back to Otira was uneventful and we all went home. Next day at work we asked Ray what he had done with the Kea, he said he had it locked up in his batch and was going to train it!!!! That afternoon after work I went with Ray to his batch to see how the Kea was doing, Ray opened the door and out flew the Kea and it took off heading for the hills. We went inside the Batch and what a mess not only had it chewed through the Chilly bin ( that had a bloody great hole in it ) but it had managed to open all the cupboards and pulled out the drawers, there was flour, jam, butter, milk packets of soup torn to bits and scattered every where. Ray's pillow was in shreds ( Made of Feathers...Probably tried to mate with it ) there was feathers every where, food every where, what I could see nothing was left untouched...Old Kea had done a fantastic job of renovating Ray's Apartment. I won't go into great details as to what Ray said....that type of language has not yet been invented!!
A call went out one day to The Otira Police that a climber had not returned from a hike, I think it was Mt Alexandra or Mt Rolleston !! Any way it was the one that had the basin 3/4 way up the Mountain, locals called it Snowdrop Basin ( for a very good reason ). They wanted some one to go in from the Otira side while another team went in from the Arthur Pass Side to see if they could locate the missing tramper. Well Ray and I set of up the Rolleston River Boulder Hopping most of the way ( Boulder Hopping was jumping from one large stone or rock to another, without touching water or getting wet. They had to be a size big enough to hold your weight, and take the pressure of you jumping on it or your body leaping from it without it moving.) Now Ray used to be a jockey years back, so he was a wiry sort of fellow and very fit and bloody agile. He was springing from one rock to another all the time talking to me, at one particular point he leapt to a rock in the middle of a green cold part of the river with just enough rock exposed above the water for one person to land on. As he leapt to the rock and I saw him land I leapt too, ( now when you leap to a rock you are supposed to take off again immediately, as this gives you the momentum to leap to the next rock ) Not Ray he stayed on the rock and as I came down to land on it ...I thought shit we are going into the drink. ..as I landed I grabbed Ray and wrapped both my arms around him and there we were in the middle of the bloody river on this little rock cuddling each other ( Like a couple of gays in the wrong place at the wrong time ) I said to Ray what the hell did you stop for?? He said to me we should shoot up to Snowdrop Basin and have a Deco up there...and then took off from the rock....The Bastard.... I was bigger than him and I had lost my momentum, I couldn't go back as I had jumped DOWN to this perch so I had to go forward. I spotted a rock just under the surface and leapt to that one then another and I was away again catching Ray up, we crossed over and started the climb to Snowdrop Basin. That was some climb I'm not sure of the height but it seemed a long way up to it, we reached the basin and started to walk along the outer rim to the other side of the basin. We were 1/2 way along when there was the tremendous "BOOM" like a very close clap of thunder, I looked up and saw a fantastic sight of the snow breaking loose on the tops and coming down ( AVALANCHE ) the falling snow hit and outcrop of boulders and cascaded over it like a bridal Vail....it was beautiful to watch. Then Ray jolted me back to reality yelling RUN, Run like hell, that beautiful sight was actually heading straight at us giving us a close up view of its splendour and its travelling rate. Well one look told me to get the hell out of there "fast", we ran like there was no tomorrow. Ray and I and we reached the other side of the basin just in the nick of time, as the outside of the Avalanche swirled and pelted our legs but we were safe. The main body of the Avalanche went over the Basin lip like a great water fall and down the side of the mountain we had just climbed, we sat there for a while and then headed up towards the top. A helicopter flew over head and was circling a spot over on the next peak, I said to Ray we might as well go back I think they found him. When we got back we went straight to the Pub ( As you Do ) we heard that the climber had been found but not alive. It seems he fell over a bluff and they had to winch people down to him to retrieve the body. Mountains are a fantastic and Beautiful sight ......but can also turn nasty on you and become deadly and dangerous. When ever you go for a day walk in the mountains or a long Hike always tell people where you are going, and take along communications, safety first aid and warm clothing. I have seen it far to often....the weather can turn at any time.
We did a search and rescue one day at the request of the Otira Police constable, to go into the Deception area and look two parties of two people (4) people in all. We had to wait at the Deception point by the railway tracks as the river was still running high, anyone who knows the area will understand the rumbling noise coming from the river is that good sized rocks are being rolled along by the flow of the river water and they are hitting each other underwater. We sat on the bank for maybe 1/2 an hour and you could see the river dropping all the time, it drops very fast up there because of the steep gradient of the river and the swiftness of the water. There was Myself, Jock Tuari, Noel Jones and Bill Eden's waiting ready to go, waiting for the rumbling noise to either subside or stop. If you try to go across when the river is rumbling....you will not have much left of your ankles or shins, they will be pulverised and massaged to bits by the rocks.
Eventually we had the all clear from Mother Nature and we went across the Otira river and started to head up the Deception river, when tramping for a cause we do not waste any time we could be needed urgently...so we go at a very fast rate. 3 hours flat out brought us to the open flats along the Deception River we knew that there was a hut just off into the bush there, hitting the flat we spotted one man going into the bush. We yelled and called out...luckily he heard us and saw us waving at him, he called to some one in the bush and out came 6 more people. It seems that the other group linked up with the group we were looking for and decided to stay together ( Good Thinking ) so now we had to bring out 7 people and they were buggered, They looked so tired and I could see we were going to have our work cut out trying to get these people motivated enough to keep going. We told them it was a hard trek back so don't lag behind, we started off every thing went well for a while but after an hour the young girl and her boyfriend had no energy left and couldn't carry their packs. ( I don't know how they lost their energy as they stayed in bed all weekend!!!!! ) Jock carried one pack and Bill carried the other. Then came our first test, we reached a point in the river where we were going to HAVE to swim, Jock said he would jump in and let the river take him to a shingle point in the river about 200m down. He would be able to catch them as they came up to him and help them to safety, I told the group to watch what Jock does and to do as he does when their turn comes up. Bill said there was a fizzer in the cliff 1/2 way down the river, he would go into that and as they come past grab them and pull them into the side closer to the bank that would make it easier for Jock to catch them. In Jumped Bill and away he went, I explained that they were to make sure their packs were water tight as possible and tied tightly around them. The wave action of the river will, as you saw with Jock and Bill keep you afloat. As the waves come up under the pack and push you up higher you must keep your feet up and ahead of you, do that and you will have no trouble at all. Up came the first person, no problem at all jumped in and did exactly as we instructed him to do, he sailed past Billy and Jock waded out and caught him and pulled him ashore. Every thing went well until the last person he was the one that spent the whole week end in bed with his girlfriend!!!! he wouldn't go in so I said to him it is not deep see you can see the bottom ( You couldn't because of the recent rain fall ) He looked over the bank into the river I gave him a little shove.....in he went and away he went, I saw Billy try and catch him as he was going out to far, Billy went after him and helped Jock to bring him to safety. I jumped in and went sailing past the group and around the corner... What a ride it was great I must have gone a couple hundred yards or more until I found an area to get out. Didn't take Jock and the group to catch up to me and we carried on. Every thing was going great until we came to a sandy bank beside the river, by this time the little red headed girl could go no further ( very Pretty little Thing ) she flopped down on the sand and said she could not go on and that she was staying there. Jock told me he would carry on with the main group and keep them going and warm, I said I will catch him up soon, Noel Jones and Billy Eden was with me and I said to the girl are you going to move? she replied NO. I explained to her that we were not equipped to spend the night out here and that we had no way of lighting a fire, She still said "NO" I am staying here. I looked at her lying there with her little shorts and lovely legs and thought we had to get her out of here now before hypothermia set in, I said to her we do not have a way to light a fire so the only way I can keep you warm is by friction. Friction what do you mean? I said we would have to make love until the morning just to keep warm. That was when Noel said to me I will catch Jock up and give him a hand, I said good idea...Bill was still standing there with a grin on his face and waiting to see how I was going to handle the situation. I turned to the young girl and started to undo my belt and said we may as well start now so I can keep you warm, then I undid the zip...That was when Bill said, I will go and help Jock and Noel, and away he went....that left just the two of us. By this time the young red head had a shocked look on her face and could see that I meant business, I pulled the zip all the way down......and that was when it happened. She got up off the sand and took off running, I caught up with the group and asked Jock if had seen the red Head? he said yea she went past us like a bloody rocket....what did you say to her? By this time we were only an hour from the road and the group were moving along quite well. We got them across the river to the waiting MOW Van and the Police 4 wheeled drive, the red head was pointing to me and saying that's the man there, that's him. I was taken to one side and the cop said to Bloody hell Trevor can you be a bit more diplomatic in future?? I looked at him and said well she's here isn't she??
Back at the pub we were all having a beer when the red head came down and thanked us for getting them out of there and shouted us all a beer, then she looked at me and said would you have gone ahead and done it?????? I smiled at her and said..I guess we will never know will we??
I came in late one night 12am just finished a patrol of the line, put the jigger away and headed to the pub ( As you do ) I was really thirsty. Took my raincoat off and hung it up on the hooks on the veranda and walked into the bar, just about every one was there drinking and carrying on. I walked up to the bar and asked Old Snow McKenzie for a beer ( I only drank 5oz beers...wanted to cut back ) Snow placed a glass on the bar and was just about to put the gun nozzle into the glass and pour....when Bill Roberts came up to me and in a loud voice told me he would love to screw my wife. The whole pub went very quiet, I looked at Snow and he was still poised over the glass with the beer gun but hadn't started to fill it, I was leaning on the bar both my hands on the counter, my first thought was to drop this idiot. Then I started to think....Trev if you hit this Idiot, Snow is going to close the bar and you won't get a drink at all. Diplomacy Trev Diplomacy, ( which I am not very good at first thought I felt was the best one....drop the bastard ) With out taking my hands off the counter, I looked at Bill and said, I hope to God she has more sense than to go with a loser like you!! Bill just looked at me muttered some thing and left, I looked at Snow and said fill her up Snow, Snow smiled and said on me Trev and poured out the beer. I said Snow....if I had of smacked him one would you have closed the bar, Snow said yes Trev every out and home, want no fuss or bother. So being a good boy I had a free beer.
We had a new Police man come to Otira ( Can't remember his name ) But he was hell bent on cleaning Otira up....stop all this after hour drinking and such, only a young fellow, I personally think placed in Otira so we could train him for the Police Department. Well he started off on the wrong foot by closing the bar at 6pm, so all those working in Otira on stand in for others that went on leave ( Relief workers ) even tho they were in rental batches or stayed with friends....all booked into the hotel and then asked all friends to come and drink with them. The same Police man asked me and Jock to accompany him to the Taipo River a hunter had damaged his shoulder, so away we went. As we were driving up the track to go down into the river bed area he spotted a huge stag in a paddock not far from the farm house, the stag was sporting a very impressive wrack I think at the very least 18 points. I told him that Mary had brought that stage up since a fawn..its mother was shot so Mary saved the fawn and looked after it ever since. Then he started going on about noxious animals being kept and did she have a permit, well we arrived at the entrance to the river bed only to find a pole across the drive and padlocked. That was the last straw for this legal minded law officer, he took off around the house with thoughts of chastising Mary about flaunting the law. I said to Jock he is in for a hell of a shock ....Mary might 90 years old + but she is definitely no pussy to mess with. We sat quietly and heard a plane land down on the Taipo River flats and then a few minuted later take off again, Jock said it sounds like he was picked up and taken out....I said yea sounds like it. With that, coming around the side of the house backwards with both arms in the air, was are fearless protector of the law. Looking a bit sheepish as Mary had a double barreled shot gun pointed right at his chest and she was giving him what for about her pet stag....apparently the Stag was of more use than our fearless protector of the right....we had to agree with her there. Mary said to me Trevor if you bring that Bastard back her again I will shoot him, and you for bringing him!! We were still made to go and look for the wounded hunter even though we told the Cop about the plane, he stayed with the vehicle while Jock and I went to have a look see. No hunter but he did leave a note in the book that he had radioed his wife to send in some to pick him up...and that was the plane. You never know you must always carry reliable communication with you when tramping.
Footnote for that last story......I left to go to Springfield to work but came back 6 months later and straight up to the pub ( As you Do ) when I walked in a few of my old mates came and said giday to me and looking behind the bar who should I see but our old fearless leader serving behind the bar, he saw me looking and said straight away don't you say anything Trevor!!! he knew what I was thinking...I told him a long time ago he would not be able to tame the place or the people. Instead I said to him that he made a smart move at least he could stop any trouble before it started working behind the bar, he grinned and said thanks Trevor. It is all very well jumping into a new job or territory with both feet that way you get every ones back up and against you, just test the water first before making a big splash.....do not make sudden changes.....just little subtle ones. My thoughts only!!
Just a short one Brian. We were at the Pub, (Terminus Hotel Otira) having a few drinks playing pool and darts and enjoying ourselves. I was starting to get a bit hungry and deciding to head for home when Rolly Parker came in, he had a little plate of cooked mince he had made ready for his lodgers Tea. There were 3 lodgers up from Christchurch staying at Rolly's place, they always stay with Rolly when they come up to work in the area...they also know how to knock back a few ales as well. Well Rolly brought up the plate of mince so he could persuade the Lodgers to come home for Tea, as it was all ready. Instead the Lodgers enticed Rolly to stay and have a drink, which he did, the Lodgers weren't interested in eating the mince so I asked Rolly if I could eat it. The mince was very well cooked with a slight hint of curry and other spices not over powering but very tasty in a thick gravy, I asked Rolly is there any more of this mince?? Rolly told me that there was a preserving pot ½ full of mince at his place ready for these guests of his, If he could tear them away from the pub. I left to go home about an hour later and decided to go via Rolly's place just to sample his mince, this day and age no one locked their door so it was just a matter of turning the knob and walking in, I did leave the door open a little. There were cats every where..I think Rolly had about 20 cats he would look after and feed. The pot was on the stove and it had not been long off the heat, so I got a spoon and started to taste the mince. Time meant nothing to me as I chewed through the mince, it was fantastic and very Moorish. Then suddenly I notice this shining thing in the mince...yep it was the bottom of the pot, I had enjoyed the mince so much that I got carried away and ate the whole lot. I left Rolly's place and headed home, climbed into bed and went straight to sleep. Next day feeling a little seedy I did not remember eating at Rolly's place, so forgot all about it until a month later. Sitting on a bar stool in the pub talking to Rolly some one said to Rolly...I hear you got rid of a load of cats couple of weeks back, Rolly replied “YEP” only have one cat left now, came back from the pub and the buggers had cleaned up a pot of mince, pot was on its side and licked clean. Got rid of the buggers for good.
I sat very quiet put my face in my drink and said nothing....some times it pays to just let things take their course!!
When we in the Search and Rescue, Hunting or Tramping we use to wear little ankle lace up gumboots made by Ansford, we modified them a little by placing the pony shoes on the heel of the boot. Using the horse shoe nails we placed the shoe on the heel and drove the nail into the heel of the boot through the slots in the steel shoe, the point of the nail came out the side of the boot heel just before where the upper starts ( still in the heel part of the rubber). The nail is square so it will fit into the square slots on the shoe, we drive the nail in as hard as we can, and when the point is protruding out of the heel we bend it over and cut off the pointed part. This done we hammer the cut end in against the heel rubber forming a sort of anchor and securing the heel plate to the boot,
the nail head sticks out of the heel plate by approx 5 – 8mm, this gives good grip on ice and snow.
Even on wet and slippery clay banks or Grey wacky you have a reasonable grip on life!!
A trip up to the hut on Kelly's Range one afternoon put this to the test, 4 of us from Otira set out to work on the Translator hut at the very top of Kelly's staying over night in the hut. On the way up we came across Peter Croft ( Ranger )and some young ones from Arthur's Pass, working there way across an area we call the chute or slide. Now if you can imagine a chute or slide 40 feet wide and approx 70' -80' long!! This chute is hollowed out like a big slide over years of wear and tear from the amount of snow that goes down it, when wet or really cold it is very Iced up and very hard to cross, the chute is also on quite a steep angle and when the snow slides over the side it will drop for about 2 to 300' Nothing to stop it. Well we came across Peter and his school of young ones, we watched and Peter had them all roped together and they were making there way across the chute, Crampons, Ice Picks the works. Chip Chip with ice pick place crampon boot in chip step, and then chip chip again and put boot into chip step. I could see us there all day as there was about 6 of them to get across, Jock Tuari said okay lets go and with that he ran up hill from Peter and his crew, running on his heels. I followed straight after Jock running flat out on my heels the nail heads digging deep into the ice, at a point ¾ of the way across we both took the weight off the heels and onto the balls of our feet and used the heels as brakes and steering. This brought us to the other side of the chute and onto the track again, we heard Peter yell out you mad pack of Bastards. We went up to the translator another ¾ hour run, fixed it and back down to the hut. As we arrived at the hut Peter and his crew were just coming into sight, every one wanted to see our boots and they way we had modified them.
The local boys claimed all the bottom bunks and newbies were all in the top bunks, ( they found out in the morning why we all claimed the lower bunks ) Jock Tuari was the cook for the evening and Jock Graham was the cook for the breakfast. We woke up to an aroma of porridge which smelled dam good to me, Jock Graham called out are you all ready bonnie lads. Then he started to dish it up...Bloody hell man!! the porridge was only half cooked, cooked and burnt, and to rub it in to us he had thrown all the left overs from the evening meal also into the same pot. Jock Graham “NEVER” cooked again for us. When I first started to climb Kelly's Range, from the road to the very top it would take me 3hours 15min. After 7 years of climbing all over Otira just before I left I ran to the top of Kelly's Range in 55 min and down again to the road in 20min......In those days I was so darn fit I could meet myself coming back, a little different now.
I think we would average about one trip a week up Kelly's Range, just to check on, or fix that dam Translator. This particular time we went up to the Translator we had Ken Meads with us, (a short ginger headed fellow) but he wanted to try and get to the top with us “JUST ONCE” to say he had done it. It was a slow and steady climb no need to hurry as we had a new recruit with us, we were doing okay until we got to the Chute or Slide. Jock Tuari ran across on his heels ( wearing the special Boots we made) to the other side of the chute ready to catch Ken when he ran across... Ken only had his work boots with toe and heel plates. In the chute it still had ice and snow as we were still in the Winter months, it was cold enough that the ice had made the snow a little harder than the soft powdery stuff. We told Ken to go like the wind and angle up hill slightly so he should come to where Jock was waiting to catch him, away went Ken like all hell was behind him...going like the clappers down one side across the bottom of the chute angling up slightly and starting up the other side of the chute. Then it happened, Ken's right side boot slipped and struck his left foot making him loose balance, he sat down in the middle of the chute and started to slide on the ice. He managed to get his feet out in front of him and that helped to slow him down as it built up and packed the snow ahead of his feet. The chute narrows a lot just before you go over the lip of the chute and there are some short shrubs on each side, Jock went down one side and I the other side just before the drop. Ken was coming down slowly but steadily towards the drop...now I know what they mean about eyes as big as saucers!! Kens were enormous and his mouth was wide open but no sound was coming from it, we told Ken to be perfectly still and not to move around...(wasted advice), poor Ken was frozen solid with fear. By this time Ken had his legs forced open by the pressure of the snow, and it was now building up around his crutch area and his inside thighs, but still moving toward the edge. Ken was doing as we said, he was NOT moving a mussel, by now his boots were just at the edge of the chute and we were scrambling like mad to reach him. Jock yelled for Ken to outstretch his arms from his side and keep them at shoulder level. Jocks yelling instructions broke through the fog of fear and Ken did as he was told, now his boots were over the edge and still moving slowly forward. The packed snow dropping away out of sight every minute as Ken's body was pushing it ahead of him, I made one desperate grab and managed to grab hold of his hands and holt the decent into nothingness. I was gripping this poor little shrub and leaning as far out into the chute as was possible while holding Ken, I said to Jock get back here mate and help me pull him in....While Jock came across the chute again and down to where we were, I said to Ken do not move, don't even fart or it will blow you over the side and “DON'T” piss yourself, the warm water will melt the bloody snow holding you up. Jock came around and we managed to pull Ken to safety, I have never seen a bloke hug tera- firma like Ken did when he woke up to the fact he was safe. He started shaking so much that he couldn't roll his smokes, we gave him some tailor made ones and he broke 3 of them before he could control himself enough to drag it to death after we lit it for him. It was a slow trip back down the Mountain and when we hit the road it was a fast hike back to....(you guessed it )...The Pub. By this time Old Ken had settled down and was back to his usual self again...You know.... Ken NEVER went up the mountain again ...any mountain!!!
In the Old Pub there was an Oregon Post holding the next floor up, it was right in the middle of the Bar area …not a great place for a pole, but there you have it.
Now after a few beverages, it seems to call the strong and the mighty to see who has the strongest set of teeth, and bite a hunk out of said post. Many have tried but it is a strong post, I think Bill Eden took a sliver from it and I have taken only a small sliver from it. You never do it when the owner Snow is around ( he has no sense of humour in that respect ) Well it was about a week later that Snow discovered that there was slivers missing from his post, he went right of his trolley did our Snow. He was demanding us to tell him who did it, or he would close the bar and send us home.
We had to think fast, so I stepped forward and was going to tell him it was me when Bill Eden said it was Colin Snow, I watched him do it. Snow looked around the bar and Colin wasn't there that night, so Snow made a mental note to tackle Colin next time he came in the Bar. A week later we were all in the Bar and Snow was asking if anyone had seen Colin....when the bar door opened and in walked Colin. Snow never gave Colin a chance to get to the Bar....let alone order a drink, when Snow got stuck into Colin he just stood there like a stunned mullet. Snow gave him what for and then said why did you do it?? Colin opened his mouth to speak and every one burst out laughing, Snow took one look and realised that it couldn't have been Colin as he has NO TEETH at all, just gums. Old Snow went as red as a beetroot and shouted Colin a drink as an apology, the he glared at all of us and said you all bloody well knew didn't you...you pack of Bastards.
It took a day or two but he forgave us....after all we were his bread & Butter.
Young Brian, Yes he is the same Brian that helped to shift a long drop and ended up in the old hole.
We were up in the Otira Pub ( as we all seem to do ) having a good time lots of banter and cheeky comments when Old Snow dropped the clanger that he was closing the bar and having an early night, this was about 9.30pm!! Brian said lets all go to my place and have a few drinks, so we all trekked down to Brian's place. As we got to the back door Brian was going shhhhhh with finger to lips, don't make too much noise as the wife will be in bed. Well I thought that was going to be tough as some of the boys with us, couldn't care less one way or the other...they just wanted a good time and a place to drink. We all entered the kitchen -dinning room where the old coal range was still going ( They were a fantastic invention the Coal range, especially as they were a wet back as well ) Here we all were nice and cosy drinking away and laughing, at one stage we heard the bedroom door being slammed shut but we carried on anyway oblivious to the anger welling up in the Bedroom. At some point some one said what have you got to eat Brian? By now we were starting to feel a little peckish. Brian produced a large pot and put a dozen eggs in it topped up with water and put on the stove, then brought out the bread and butter...the eggs were a little way off being ready so we carried on drinking. I am not sure how long it was...maybe 20 min when there was this load bang, I was sitting at the table next to the window when some thing went past me at a great rate of Knots...hit the window and slid down the window falling on the table. It was an unborn chick!!! at the same time as I had my meal delivered by airmail to me, so did every one else get a similar experience. There was these unborn chicks going in all directions...and some were not chicks these had a rare smell to them ( Rotten eggs ). One chick landed on top of the half open door to the kitchen... body on one side neck and head on the other, what a bloody shambles and none of them had a feather between them. It looked for all the world like a Barn Yard Massacre blood and guts every where. I asked Brian...where the hell did you get these bloody eggs from?? his reply summed it all up for us...From my mates place on the farm, I found them under a hedge and brought them home. You dipstick that was a sitting nest, some chook is looking for those eggs to sit on, didn't you check the eggs first???? “NO” Then he started to laugh.... he thought it was a great joke. The stove would have to have a very good cleaning as the residue spilled onto the hot plate making one hell of a stink, rotten eggs and half cooked chicks.
Well with all the commotion and goings on it did not take Brian's wife long to appear on the scene, the door from the kitchen to the bedrooms and front sitting room was flung open, and there stood Brian's wife in all her radiant beauty. She opened her mouth to say some thing and ( I don't think it was to welcome us ) Gagged, she had her hands over her mouth and nose and when she finally got the courage to speak.....it was not nice!! I didn't think a woman could lay her tongue to so any words without stopping for breath!! Mind you....you wouldn't want to take a deep breath at this time. Finally we got the message to go home, I looked at the clock and said I'm off Brian see you at work in 6 ½ hours. Brian didn't turn up for work that day, it seems he had a lot of cleaning up to do as his wife couldn't stomach the stench. She took the morning railcar to Greymouth to visit with her Mother and caught the evening one back to Otira. Brian had the place spic and span by the time she had arrived home. ....If you have eggs from a farm please put them one by one into container of water and watch the outcome. If they stay on the bottom of the container they are okay to eat, if one end starts to rise ...even just a little, discard it, if it floats to the top....don't even bother going there.... that is not a lite egg for dieting people.
When you are young and single the world is your oyster, I never had a care in the world I always dealt with whatever was tossed at me one way or the other. I have been too and lived in Otira 3 times the first time was in 19556, I went to the Otira School then we left around 1957 early and moved to Greymouth. I came back again in1964-5 and lived in the single men's hut behind the loco shed, my hut was beside the old unused track and Tom Nepia was just opposite me. Behind Tom was a race that used to take the spillage of water from the reservoir, this used to supply all the water to the Otira township and Railways, including the steam engines. The water from that reservoir came from goat hill and there was a Kahikatea wooden race which collected and guided the water to the reservoir, that water was ice cold and so fresh to drink clean and clear. Now behind Toms hut and in the old concrete race were these little Rainbow trout...look like little herrings, every time I had a cook up I would put the empty plate in the Race and those little fish would come and clean it off. Great I didn't have to do any washing, I would come home from the pub cook chops and eggs and go to bed. In the morning on the way to work put the plates into the race...at one stage I had 8 plates in the race ( None in the Hut ) so I would go lift out the first plate I put in warm it up over the stove and when finished eating put the plate behind the last one in the race. Automatic dish washers...they seem to know when I am putting in a fresh plate because they are there waiting. This worked well for a time, being Otira it as a tendency to rain,...(Rolly has already stated that it rains 17 feet a year in Otira) Well it sure did rain and all that water has to go some where, YEP down the race and when it went down there it took all the loose gravel with it and cleaned out the race perfectly, Including my 8 plates....not a plate to be seen. I had to go and see Tom Nepia and borrow a plate for the night, Tom was still in bed and had the blankets pulled up under his chin...but his feet were uncovered!! I asked to borrow a plate and got the okay from Tom, then I said your feet are uncovered you want me to tuck your feet in? There was a definite “NO” from Tom so I asked why not, and he tells me that he must have his feet uncovered while sleeping because if anything happens to him during the night his soul can leave through his feet. Can't argue with that.
I had to buy some new plates eventually and gave them away when I left. I returned again in 1968-9 this time with a wife and young son, stayed 7 years this time, in that time Jason was born in Otira.
Time and tide wait for no man or woman!!
Otira
Even today, with time and distance behind me, I think of the Mountains surrounding Otira and the township itself and the carry on's in and around the area.
Some people who read this I feel, will be able to understand what I am saying and probably it has happened to them at some stage in life. Or could Happen.
With all the pressure of work, Married life, kids, money and every thing else building up over time...you get to the point where you feel like exploding. Well this was happening to me, sure drinking was one way out, but if it is money troubles worrying you then that is not the solution. You could not find specialist help, as you are up in the Mountains not in a City. What I did, ( and it helped me a hell of a lot ) was when I felt all pent up inside, for one reason or another. I would take a bloody hard run at the Mountain, I would go at it hammer and tongs.....heading right to the very top!!
Some times I would have to take a very short break to try and get my 2nd wind back, then give it another go. ( It does pay to have a sound heart for this sort of treatment other wise you won't have any problems at all...ever!! ) The day I ran up to the top of Kelly's Range I did not stop, even though the body felt like exploding ...I just kept going until I reached the VERY top. I stood there looking towards Otira then turning and looking down the valley towards Jacksons, turning South I could see the Ranges stretching towards Mt Cook.....a very clear day and warm. I sat down and looked at the miniature Alpine forest at my feet, small tiny prickly trees with little red berries on them no higher than about 3'' high. Millions of very small butterflies of different colours, Golden, dusky blue, grey, feeding of young Alpine plants flowers. I had this over whelming thought of Gulliver Travels looking into Little people Land, I lay on the ground and looked up into the clouds racing across the sky. It was so quiet and warm up there, except for the odd call of the Kea, and way off down on the Mountain slopes, as the bush starts you can hear the Bellbirds calling. Every thing was at peace with the world up there, I may have dozed or went into a peaceful trance...not sure but while I was lying there I could actually feel all the pent up fury, hurt, pain, disappointment and stress start to leave my body. It was a fantastic feeling, no one near me, I was completely on my own. I was there for around 4 hours ( Healing ) nothing to upset me no noise, no arguing....It was bloody fantastic. I did see the red Railcar way down in the valley heading up to Otira, it looked about 4 inches long from the Tops. I eventually and reluctantly picked myself up, and with a sigh started to walk slowly down to the hut area on the flat. It took me a good 2 hours to walk to the road where the car was...but I was in no hurry, it felt like I was going through a cleansing period up on the Tops and on the walk down. I felt really great so into the car and ….( you Guest it ) went to the pub ( well I had lost a lot of body fluid you know ) As soon as I pulled the car up outside the pub, I could here the noise from within....so I said to myself....Back to reality Trev. I did that at least 3 more time in 7 years, and found it very therapeutic....don't do it when raining or in Winter, ( Soul destroying!!!)
My old mate Ray Frazer, I liked the old Bugger, he was a lot older than me around the 47 year mark me I was about 23 or 24 when I cottoned on to the old fellow. Ex Jocky full of life and walked and acted like there was no tomorrow, every thing he did was at high speed...none of this slow crap for Ray. Talking or walking it was always one speed, but honest and a hard worker you would be hard put to find any one better....and he says what he feels. Ray asked me if I would come into the Deception area with him to help bring out his Possum traps and go around his baits, he wanted to clear the baits and bring out all his traps ready for another run some where else. Well we took off and at the usual fast pace …dam near had sparks coming off our boots he was going that fast, What's the hurry Ray? I asked....Gotta get those baits and traps put away ASAP. Well we walked up one side of the bloody mountain and down the other side all the while clearing the Cyanide baits, the Traps were easier as they were along the river banks and only went into the bush area about 100m. That evening we came down to the Deception hut set just off the flats, back into the bush about 30 feet slightly hidden...but a visible track to the hut. There we intended to stay for a couple of nights while we cleared Ray's Poison and trap lines ( I didn't know it at the time but the old bugger had 80 lines out running from river area up to bush and tussock line ) Dam near killed me all that clambering around and carrying the traps out....he was like a spring chicken and still ready to go.
Well we went up to the hut and there was a lot of clothing and packs out side, a make shift cloths line with wet cloths on it, and a lot of noise coming from the Hut and smoke from the old iron chimney. Old Ray didn't say a word dropped his pack by the hut and opened the door and went in, there was 4 guys in there playing cards, smoking, talking and laughing. They all shut up when we went in...they thought we were their bosses come to check up on them, once the surprise was over Ray said what are you bloody lot doing here? Their reply was that they were on a survey, trapping and counting the possums in the area ready for an Ariel Drop of 1080 carrots. They had been in there 4 days trapping possums, Ray said how many have you trapped? and where are they? as he would take the skins off them. They had 4 possums in a 4 day period, but only set the traps 100m from the hut in a semi circle. They were choppered in and when ready would be choppered out, they told us that they multiply the 4 possums by the area of the valley, and that gives a total of about how many possums are in that target area. Ray told them in no uncertain tones that they were talking a load of shit, he pointed out that there were 80 lines he maintains and we have only got 10 possums!! That was why he was pulling out his traps, the area had been over worked and bugger all left here. You useless buggers sit there and play card and eat and only have 4 possums!!!!! now you are going to bomb the area with bloody poison because of some magic figures you have worked up, get your asses out there and do the job properly...I can tell you, you are wasting money because the area has been over trapped. I just shut up, and stood there while Ray tore into these young fellows. Ray was in full throttle and he let them know what he thought of them and their Bosses and Job. I didn't actually write what Ray said, as I didn't want the paper to burn while I was writing it....needless to say they got the message loud and clear. Next morning chopper came and picked them up, we went back to the hut around 3 pm as it gets late early in there.....and behold a heap of goodies was left for us to eat and drink.
I worked on the crusher in Otira, Herb Vrobliski was the manager and the owner was Dave Pearson from Hokitika, we were crushing river rock into ballast for the railways on a contract basis. The old trucks we were driving had seen better days, one day we went down to the river bed ( just before the climb up the Otira Gorge ) and loaded up the trucks ready for the next day. Herb said leave your truck there and come back in mine, ( as he was also loader driver as well ) so we left my truck on the river bank loaded for the morning, I told Herb I was not happy about leaving it there full loaded over night. That night it was bloody cold ( very unusual for Otira ) and of course every thing frozen, we had a hell of a time swinging on the belts to get the conveyor belts moving. It was after 9am before we could start to crush rock and even then it was iffy, every thing was wet or frozen. Herb gave me a lift down to the river bed to pick up my loaded truck while he used the loader to load his truck, the place was pure white and still frozen, 11am the sun hits the floor of the valley and it's gone by 1pm. Well I was told to take the truck back to unload into the crusher bin and get back here for another load, I was not very happy about the truck being left out all night FULL, with a wet load. I mentioned this to Herb, who told me to do as I was told!! So being the dutiful lad I was....after checking water oil etc...I climbed up into the cab and started the engine, it took a bit but finally caught and started to run smoothly. I put it into gear and eased off the clutch...there was a load BANG and I didn't move and inch, the bloody axle had broken...it was frozen solid. Well things got a little personal after Herb came up to see why I was not moving, and I told him the truck should not have been left on the river bed fully loaded. I told him that night...but I am only a boy and he was the Boss and don't I forget it!!!! With a hell of a lot of muttering and carry-on we managed to jack the truck up and draw out the axle, it was a neat break very clean. So Herb said he was going to weld it back up and then bring the truck in for a proper fit, I did say to him would it not be better to drop the load of rock we have on there by taking the strain off the welded axle. It appears that I still don't know my place!! as that was the wrong thing to say. Herb and I put the axle back in after a load of language and being told how useless I was, when finally completed Herb said he would drive and show me how it was done. ( now don't get me wrong here, but if you weld two pieces together and the grind the excess weld of to make it smooth How Much weld is actually holding the pieces together??? ) Well you guessed right, when Herb went to take off there was this big BANG again only not as loud as the first one. Now I reckon if you could get a truck running by swearing...Old Herb would have had a fleet running for a year, it's amazing the vocabulary that can come from some one when they are pissed off. Needless to say it was a quiet evening at Herbs place (That was where I was Boarding when working the crusher) Not long after that my papers came to go into the Army......another story.
We had our moments working on the Railway in Otira, There was one of many particular spots where we used to see the Rainbow Trout. This one was a large culvert with a little bridge over it, coming up on the jigger we would sit in the middle of the culvert and look over the side into the clear mountain stream. There just below the surface was quite a large Rainbow Trout just sitting facing the light currant of the stream, we watched it for a while and then decided to go up to Kelly's Creek hut and get some Carbide flares (Carbide Flares were used at night at danger points, slips or derailments) a Carbide Flare was a long cylinder type with two small holes at the Top and one larger hole at the bottom it comes with its own water container. You take the tape off the two holes at the Top and remove the tape from the two holes, place the one hole end down into the water container. The water will enter the larger hole and mix with the Carbide creating a gas, this gas escapes from the two holes at the top, there you light the escaping gas and that creates a very strong light that burns for a long time.
Kelly's Creek Hut had some flares there so we thought we would come again tomorrow and bring some AG jars (we used for pickling with a screw top) and make a home made bomb for the Trout. We raided our wives pantry for the empty jars and took them to work ( We had 6 jars in all ) At the bottom of the jar you put in some Carbide powder that you had cut from a canister and cover with small chips of stones to the top, we did this with all 6 jars ( do not put a lot of Carbide powder in ). Now down to the Trout bridge and yes there he is just sitting there waiting for us, carefully unscrew the lid and your mate is standing by to put a few drops of water in the jar. Once the water enters the jar....it is all go from there, as fast as you can you screw on the lid and throw the jar up stream, the jar hits the water and starts to sink as it is coming down towards the Trout. Then the pressure builds up and the jar explodes sending glass and stone every where under water, after the commotion and the stream cleared, there was no Trout to be seen!! We tried the same trick many times over a few weeks but could not catch or kill this bloody Trout, we were very lucky not to lose a hand or an eye in all this carry on. Then one day Bill said he would get some sticks from his Farm in Inchbonnie, and we will blow the bugger out of the water. Next day Bill arrived and we went down to the Culvert and there he was again swimming gently against the stream, Bill lit a fuse on a small stick of jell and tossed it up stream. The jelly floated on past where we wanted it to go off and went off about 20 m down stream past us, that was no good so we thought we could tie a stick to a bed-plate and just drop over the side. Now old Bill was by now taking this dam trout thing to heart, no dam fish is going to get the better of me. With that Bill tied two sticks together lit the fuse and dropped it slightly up from where the Trout should be, ( Personally Speaking I thought the Trout had long gone ) well that bed plate came down just right where the Trout used to be right beside the bridge support post. ( I think that Trout had more brains than us it got to hell out of there ) Well the three of us sitting on the jigger looked over the side to watch the bed-plate as it nestled beside the Support, then there was this huge wave of water came up from the depths and completely covered us we were drenched. (No noise as such but one hell of a lot of water) I looked at these two guys and said that's it no more were going home, I started the jigger up and started to go off the end of the culvert when I noticed that the bridge end had moved slightly causing a sharp angle onto the track itself. Shit the explosion had shifted the little bridge about 4” out of line, I got onto the track phone and asked Train Control to stop 740 train at Inchbonnie from leaving the yard, as there had been a little jolt from an earth Quake and we want to check the line. We waited a while and then contacted the Track gang in Otira, I told them what I had told Train Control...they came down and relined the track with the men and bars and every thing was safe again. Three people were very quiet for a long time....and as far as I know, that dam Trout is still out there laughing at us.
My old mate Ray,
A Saturday afternoon, and I arrived at the Pub just for a quiet one before heading home....I don't know why there was nothing to do at home anyway. Playing a bit of pool and talking to other people about any...and every thing, when the door opened up and in come Ray. All dressed up and looking like a young rich man (sober) sat down at the bar and ordered a drink. After a while about 2 hrs Ray decided to give Sam the Bar manager & Owner a bit of a hard time, now Sam and his family come from England, now that in itself gave way for a ridicule session. Sam also came from London and his accent was true Cockney, that made it more interesting for our mate Ray. He just couldn't help it, our Ray started to open up on Sam. Now side-on you would have thought that Sam was actually Alfred Hitchcock, they were so much alike in every way. Well anyway Ray started to bait Sam about being a Pom, old Sam just took it and carried on serving behind the bar. Then Sam must have had enough (because it did go on for a long time) he looked at Ray and said you a Kiwi Ray? And walked away serving customers, Ray was saying..Yep..Yep I'm a Kiwi Sam and proud of it. Sam still serving came past Ray and as he went past Sam said...Kiwis got no wings Ray is that right??...and carried on serving. Ray yep, yep, that's right Sam no wings Mate, yep no wings. Sam came wondering back putting empty glasses under the counter ready to wash, looked at Ray and said Kiwi can't fly then can they Ray? Ray...no Sam Kiwi can't fly, that's right mate. By this time a lot of us were wondering what was going on, (I had an idea some thing was cooking with Sam, but not sure as to what) Sam came back again and said to Ray and do you know why it can't fly Ray?? Old Ray didn't stop to think (Fuzzy Brain) said straight away NO Sam I don't know why it can't fly you tell me!! We all held our breath and knew some thing was coming...except Ray, Then old Sam stopped in front of Ray and said to his face the reason a Kiwi can't fly is because it is to full of shit to get off the ground. Every one burst out laughing they knew old Sam was up to some thing, Ray took it....and laughed, and said you old bugger you got me there a beaut. Old Sam shouted Ray a beer for being a good sport and from that day on Ray gave old Sam a lot of respect.
The evening went well....as always does in Otira.
We did a Search & Rescue trip into Mary Creek that runs into the Taipo river, it seems a young fellow had not returned from a week end trip into that area. It had We did a Search & Rescue trip into Mary Creek that runs into the Taipo river, it seems a young fellow had not returned from a week end trip into that area. It had been raining ( like only Otira could rain ) and rivers were running high....quite High, we organized a party of about 6 of us to go in and look for the young fellow. I thing he was about 17 or 18, It seems that he came from Christchurch and was going on a special camp called Outward Bound in 2 weeks time, so he wanted to get some tramping time in, so he would be fit for the Camp. Apparently he had asked some of his mates to come with him, but they all declined for one reason or another so he came on his own. ( NEVER TRAMP ALONE ) With the weather the way it was it would have been better for him to stay at home and maybe go to a JIM, well we were called in to look for him and the rain had eased up but not stopped. We went up and down Mary creek, and in some places you could see where the debris was in the trees high up from the Creek bed.....it must have been a torrent running down that creek in the Gorge, we were up to our necks in some places feeling under huge boulders with our feet to see if we could feel any thing soft, trapped or stuck under there. We worked our way down the Creek and spotted some boot marks on a mossy rock with sand on the moss, then it started to rain and boy I mean rain....you could after 30 minutes, start to see the creek raising up higher and higher. We had to pack it in and get to hell out of there or get trapped, we waited another 4 days before we could go in again. The sister of this young fellow was at the Otira Hotel waiting for word from us, she asked me if there was any hope? I replied that there was always hope....but I did not feel in myself that there was hope for him. We got the all clear to go back and look again, this time the Creek had dropped lower than the first time we went in so we didn't get as wet as before. We search again the whole Creek and found bits of clothing, a part of a pack, bits from the pack of food and clothing. We renewed our energy and looked harder. The Creek came out onto a slight flat and fans out to drop into the Taipo river, the drop is only about a Metre as it is a build up silt from higher up washed down Mary Creek and into the Taipo River. We were told to call it a day and every one started to head back, to this day I do not know what made me tell the leader that I will do one more sweep of the stony fan. ( just before it goes into the Taipo River ) I walked along the fan but could see nothing so started to turn and catch up to the others when I saw a hand sticking out of the gravel, I walked over and I could see the hand and part of the wrist around the wrist was the black wrist band of the Oilskin he was wearing at the time. I called to the others and we dug him out, he had no marks on him and looked to be asleep except for a slight graze on his fore head. There was not much to cover him so some one covered him with his Swanndri and we carried him out. Back at the Hotel his sister was still waiting for news of her brother, when she saw me she asked did we find him? I replied yes....but not alive...Hell that was a very hard thing to do...I along with the other guys we were thanked for our assistance. The part I liked about Search & Rescue was telling the buggers off when we found them okay.....not the other way around.been raining ( like only Otira could rain ) and rivers were running high....quite High, we organized a party of about 6 of us to go in and look for the young fellow. I thing he was about 17 or 18, It seems that he came from Christchurch and was going on a special camp called Outward Bound in 2 weeks time, so he wanted to get some tramping time in, so he would be fit for the Camp. Apparently he had asked some of his mates to come with him, but they all declined for one reason or another so he came on his own. ( NEVER TRAMP ALONE ) With the weather the way it was it would have been better for him to stay at home and maybe go to a JIM, well we were called in to look for him and the rain had eased up but not stopped. We went up and down Mary creek, and in some places you could see where the debris was in the trees high up from the Creek bed.....it must have been a torrent running down that creek in the Gorge, we were up to our necks in some places feeling under huge boulders with our feet to see if we could feel any thing soft, trapped or stuck under there. We worked our way down the Creek and spotted some boot marks on a mossy rock with sand on the moss, then it started to rain and boy I mean rain....you could after 30 minutes, start to see the creek raising up higher and higher. We had to pack it in and get to hell out of there or get trapped, we waited another 4 days before we could go in again. The sister of this young fellow was at the Otira Hotel waiting for word from us, she asked me if there was any hope? I replied that there was always hope....but I did not feel in myself that there was hope for him. We got the all clear to go back and look again, this time the Creek had dropped lower than the first time we went in so we didn't get as wet as before. We search again the whole Creek and found bits of clothing, a part of a pack, bits from the pack of food and clothing. We renewed our energy and looked harder. The Creek came out onto a slight flat and fans out to drop into the Taipo river, the drop is only about a Metre as it is a build up of silt from higher up washed down Mary Creek and into the Taipo River. It was getting late so we were told to call it a day and every one started to head back, to this day I do not know what made me tell the leader that I will do one more sweep of the stony fan. ( just before it goes into the Taipo River ) I walked along the fan but could see nothing so started to turn and catch up to the others when I saw a hand sticking out of the gravel, I walked over and I could see the hand and part of the wrist. Around the wrist was the black wrist band of the Oilskin he was wearing at the time, I called to the others and we dug him out. He had no marks on him and looked to be asleep except for a slight graze on his fore head, there was not much to cover him so some one covered him with his Swanndri and we carried him out. Back at the Hotel his sister was still waiting for news of her brother, when she saw me she asked did we find him? I replied yes....but not alive...Hell that was a very hard thing to do...I along with the other guys we were thanked for our assistance. The part I liked about Search & Rescue was telling the buggers off when we found them okay.....not the other way around.
I was an Inspecting Ganger on the railways at one stage, my job was to cover the track from Jacksons to Arthur's Pass including the 5.1/4 mile tunnel through the Alps From Otira to Arthur's Pass making sure the track was safe with no danger.
This particular day I headed from Otira and travelled to Jacksons South of Otira on a one man jigger run by a Briggs & Stratton engine, on arriving at the station in Jacksons I called train control to see what time 740 would be leaving Inchbonnie.
Train Control Knows where ever one is on the track, and what times they leave and arrive. To go on the track you MUST have permission from Train Control) Well it seems that 740 will leave Inchbonnie in 15minutes time, so I had Train Control's permission to go to the other side of the Jacksons rail bridge and wait for the 740 train to go past...but I must be clear of the track. I was also told that the Bridge Gang from Greymouth were working on the bridge so take it easy, I slowly drove down the track and could see a fire going at the other end of the bridge.....That would be Tom Nepia getting ready to cook for the gang of men at 9.30am, we usually have a long morning tea and some time miss the lunch or just have a cup of tea. I started across the bridge and was ½ way over when I felt a bump then another bump....you are NOT supposed to have a bump on a railway line they are flat and smooth!! I looked back and could see that some one had tied ropes around the rail itself. When I got to the other side and cleared my Trolley off the track, I said to Jock (The Scotsman in charge), that they have the rope tied around the rail and 740 is on its way from Inchbonnie as we speak. Jock said that F word and the useless Bastards...and said he had two young Training Engineers with him, these trainees MUST work with different gangs to get knowledge for later on in the Job, when God help us they become Engineers!! I said are you going to warn them Jock? ( Scottish accent ) Hell no I have talked to the little idiots until I am blue in the face, they will find out soon enough. I said what are they doing under there Jock? The wee bastards are supposed to be cleaning bolt heads from rust, and putting red Lead paint on the bloody things. Then we saw 740 come into sight...Jock said come over here Trev we should have a good view. The embankment we walked out on looks back onto the bridge and it has a clear view of the area where the young engineers were having a lot of fun playing around, I notice that the river where they were painting over was a bright Blue colour and dark green, that tells you it is deep and very cold. Well along came 740 this train did not go bump bump like my trolley...this thing cut through the ropes like they were butter. There was a startled yell for a start....turning into a scream when they found out they are falling, both boys hit the water at the same time along with the scaffold they were on. The scaffold floated away on top of the water...now as the scaffold fell there was these two paint pots with no where to go but chase after the boys. The boys came up under a large red stain on the water (If they weren't red heads before. they sure as hell are now!!) Jock had a grin from ear to ear and I must admit I had a chuckle as well, the other boys in the gang were laughing fit to bust, especially when the two red heads climbed the slope up to the fire. Boy were they shivering....Then Jock told them to get the wet things off and dry out by the fire, then Tom got them a nice cup of hot tea. That was when Jock got stuck into them, he laid his tongue to every word not in the dictionary directing it at these so called Engineers. I said my goodbyes to Jock and went on my way. Next week I asked Train Control for permission to go to Jacksons, Control told me to watch out for the Bridge Gang working in the area.....I had to smile and thought about the last time we met. I drove the jigger across the Bridge and there was NO Bump Bump this time, I saw the rope and I could see it was formed into a figure 8 around the sleepers and UNDER the rail. Caught up with Jock and said rope looks good he glanced at the two young men and said …...There learning Trev!! it will take time but they are learning!!
One person who I had a lot of respect for and was a good mate, was George Tainui, George was the Grade 2 ganger at Otira and a hard worker. George and I hit it off right from the start and we got on well together, George always had a ready smile and a kind word. In Otira in those days there was a party going on at some ones house ( Mainly after the Pub Closed ) and normally every one was invited...or you just showed up. Every one knew every one so there was no animosity towards anyone, on this particular day there was a party at George and Pup's place. ( George incidentally was the God Father to Jason my 2nd son and Jock Tuari was the God Father to my first son Mark ) on this particular day I was told by my wife to take Mark for a ride in his push chair, and guess where we ended up?...yep George & Pups place. There was a drink shoved into my hands which I said no to several times, then Jock gave little Mark a drink of his beer....well that was the end of it every time Mark saw some one with a glass his hands were open and arms out stretched. Now who could refuse the poor mite a wee drink? I gave him a small drink, but what I didn't know was that Jock was giving him a drink and so was George. After a couple of hours I thought I had better take him home as it was 12.30pm and lunch time, Mark looked okay to me but by the time I had wheeled him home his head kept flopping to one side. His Mother took one look at him and yelled at me that I had got him drunk and then she got stuck into me well and truly, I, as all men have this built in ability to recognise danger and know instinctively when to withdraw and boy did I withdraw to a safer place.....Yep back to the Party....every one there was friendly, singing, talking and laughing that was my safe place. Only went home after the party finished as work next day, crept into bedroom, wife sound asleep....so I thought, my mistake....after an ear bashing sleep over took me faintly and in the distance I could here some one talking about my blood line!!!! Snoring is a great way to block out any unwanted noise.
About 2 weeks later George didn't turn up for work one day, didn't turn up the next day either, so the Boss sent me down to see where he was and if he was okay. Every window was covered with blinds and the back door locked, I thought he might have gone to Arahura down Hokitika way that's where his home is. I tried a knock thinking he had gone when I heard some one say who is it, its Trevor George...Boss wants to know if you are coming to work. “NO” ..why not George, There is a bloody Morepork in the yard at night and has been there the last 3 nights, SO what I said. George said him and the family will not come out of the house until the Morepork has gone, I asked why? George said that a Morepork in the yard or near the house for any length of time means a death in the family, he was making sure it would not be his family. I went back and told the Boss and he put George on sick leave so he would still get paid, after 5 days the Morepork flew away and George and family came out of hiding. Later on that day George got a message from Arahura Pa, that two of his cousins had been hit by a car and died. They were coming back from the Pub at around 1.30am some things are hard to explain...Belief or coincident, some people see ghosts some people don't....
When we went to the Pub, which was not often!!!!! I was always asked ...the usual Trev? to which I replied yes please. Now one day I went into the Pub with George, Snow asked me if it was the usual Trev? I said thank you Snow. Then he looked at George and said what do want George, George without hesitation put his hands under his stomach and placed the stomach on the bar saying FILL HER UP SNOW. The whole Bar broke out with laughter, we were very late getting home that night.
Mount White has a lovely river running down from it connecting up to the Bealey, forming the Waimakariri which flows out to the sea. Up in these areas the fish are protected so God help you if you are caught catching them. If you follow the Salmon up from the sea as they head as far up as they can get for spawning, you can see them in little back washes dotted here and there all the way up the river. These little backwashes are resting places for the Salmon on the run, they seem to rest in these areas until they get a good group and do another push up river. As they head up the river they take on changes, their jaw changes shape and the colour goes from their skin, while on this big push they do not eat and also the skin starts to peel away from their bodies. When they reach the spawning area they dig holes into the river bed and out comes the sacks of eggs and lay into the holes, another comes and wriggles over the eggs and lets off a white cloud ( sperm ) after that they just roll over and die.
Now Myself and 3 others from Otira decided we wanted a feed of these Salmon, so we headed over to Mount White river bridge. Just up a piece from the bridge was a good shallow part of the river with a deep flow in the middle, there we were the 4 of us with back packs .22 rifles and spotlights. We were looking for a Salmon with a shiny skin (Shiny skin meant still in good nick) once spotted we put the light on his eyes and slowly walked towards him...turn off the light ...wait a moment and switch back on again. By this time he hasn't got used to the light, bring the .22 to bear just ahead of his jaw put the gun nozzle as close to the water as possible without going under the water and then squeeze the trigger. (This is the fun part) if you do it right the concussion will knock him out and he will roll over (you have to be quick to grab him as he will go with the flow of the river and you could lose him) Pick him up and cut to bleed, because I have had some that were playing possum with me and came alive and took off. Once all that has been done place into back pack and look for the next one, we were having a great time and we had a few so we were ready to go home after a couple more. Then it happened a huge search light came on us and a voice rang out.....This is the Ranger don't move, we all turned our spotlights onto the ranger... all 4 of us. This blinded the Ranger and he yelled out I know who you all are!! I yelled back.. no you don't John!! with that John turned off his light and drove away. It was about one month later I was in the Bar at Otira Pub (unusual for me) having a quiet drink, when a hand came on my shoulder and a voice said to me Trevor you owe me a drink. Without turning around I said what would you like John? a jug please Trevor...you know what its for don't you Trev? I replied yes John. How many did you get? I told him we got 9 shiny ones still in good nick, John said, what did you do with them. I told him we shared them around the Township and thanked him for his understanding, John said he didn't mind the locals poaching so much, as they are not greedy and only take what is needed. It is the ones from the City we don't like, they shoot up every thing and just let it all die...total waste . I said John how come you knew it was me out there.....Bloody hell Trevor I'd know your voice anywhere.!!!! Must wear a muffler next time!!!!!
One more about my favourite Police Man Digby Darling.
As you stand on the steps of the Pub looking towards the railway yards and housing area, behind that are the Mountains very steep. Also there is a very large and steep slip on this particular Mountain, now and again you can actually see Deer walking across the slip or Thar and some times chamois. Now when this happens the village comes alive with so much fire power you would think we had our own private army,...every man and dog wants to get the animal that stupid enough to cross the slip in daylight. On one of these particular days our Fearless Police Officer saw the Deer on the slip and rushed down to get Bill Eden's to help him shoot it, Bill took Digby to the river bank edge and there Digby had a shot at it from across the river hitting the Deer on the slip some way up. Digby hit it but only wounded it, so Bill went up and put it out of it's misery. Bill gutted it picked it up and carried it down the slip and there he was going to hand it to Digby...Digby asked Bill to carry it across the river for him as he was a bit unsteady on the rocks and the flow of the river wouldn't help either. ( Bill is short and stocky and solid, Digby is taller with a protruding stomach ) Bill carried it across the river and Digby asked if Bill could carry it a bit further, as soon as they came in sight of the windows of the Pub Digby said to Bill I will carry it from here. Bill gave Digby a hand to get the Deer high on his shoulders and said I will carry the rifle for you, Digby refused saying he will carry the rifle as well. Bill came up to the Pub and ordered a beer, Looking out the window there was Digby walking up past the Pub with every one looking out the window at him. Digby put on a fantastic show of ...Look what I shot...Not even looking at us he strode up the steep little road that runs by the Pub across the road to the Police Station lock-up. There we lost sight of him, Bill told us what happened and we all roared with laughter. A couple of hours later Digby came into the Pub, NO one mentioned seeing him stagger up the road with the Deer, if they did it would be a great opening for Digby to tell us his adventure. So we all shut up and said NOTHING. We are a cruel lot!!
Getting away from Otira for a minute, I used to drink in a lot of Pubs in Greymouth and over the West Coast after all they were at that time a focal point for meeting and enjoying one's self.
I went into the Royal Hotel one afternoon around 5.15pm just finished work at Bailey & Neville Fruit Auctioneers, pushed open the door and went in....The place was packed. They were approx. 5 deep at the Bar and every one was after a drink, I was going to turn away and go some where else when I spotted Allen Campbell around the other side of the Horse shoe shape Bar.....bleary eyed he had been there a while. ( I am not sure if this ever happened to any one else ) I was standing behind about 3 people waving my arms and hand at Pat Smith the Publican to attract his attention for a beer, when suddenly every thing went dead quiet not one word...then this voice rang out. Hands up those in the Bar that pull themselves. YEP you guest it I was the only silly Bastard in the whole bar with my hands in the air, then that voice again....SCOTT you are the only honest bastard here the rest are liar's...and as he said it he was pointing at me. Every one was looking at me...I didn't have to open the door to get out, I just walked under it I felt that small after what Allen said.
We had some good times in Otira and we had a few Cops, coming and going most of them were pretty good and great to get along with. Like Dave Sands he went along with the locals, he was easy and fair with us but if we stepped out of line or played up he could be a tough Cop, and you saw the other side of him. Dave was well respected and got along with every one, then there was this other Cop I don't remember his name but we called him Digby Darling. It appears that he used to be in the Air force as an MP ( and I don't mean Member of Parliament either ) I am sure he was sent to Otira for the locals to train him. Well I used to give him hell, he couldn't come on a search with us as he was slightly larger than any of us...and anyway he had to stay by the phone just in case!! One day we were up at the Pub ( Again ) and Digby happen to come in for a drink, he saw me and went to the other end of the Bar to get away from me. I spotted him and went around and slapped Digby on the back in a playful manner and said to Snow ( the Bar Owner ) Give him a drink on me Snow I'll shout him. Well old Digby was over whelmed and thanked me very much for the drink, I said not a problem and I am sorry I keep picking on you. Well old Digby was really taken back and was quite friendly and happy, he lifted his drink and was just starting to swallow when I said to him...By the way Digby that's a drink you owe me. You should have seen the spray that came from Digby's lips, it went a fair way down the bar covering a few locals, they gave Digby hell for drowning them. Digby slammed down his drink and said to me ..you've done it again you Bastard. Right, what are you drinking, I said that's nice of you Digby I will have a whisky. Digby yells at Old Snow get a whiskey for this bugger Snow and a big one. I said just a double nip will do Digby....That'll be the day said Digby and told Snow to fill up the biggest bloody glass you have in the Pub, the biggest is the 20oz West Coast Schooner said Snow. Then fill that bugger up with Johnny Walker Whiskey, I said there is no need for that Digby just a normal whiskey is fine. No bloody way Trevor you have teased me once to often now you asked for a drink and you are bloody well going to get one. Well they presented me with the 20oz full to the brim with whiskey and Digby says....now drink it straight back, by this time all the Customers in the Pub were watching and chanting drink it up Trev. Cries of...You can do it Trev, Drop it back mate, go for it Trev, you show him Trev. I had a reputation of holding my liquor well, so I sat on a stool picked up the Schooner and started to drink, I drank slowly waiting for each heat wave to die off before the next swallow. I drank for some time, and in the end I had to put the schooner on the bar just so I could catch my breath. I looked at the glass and there was approx. ½ inch left in the glass, I leaned forward to pick the glass up with the intentions of draining the last bit...when suddenly I took off backwards. My legs just went and I had to follow, I hit the wall with a hell of a thud and slid down sitting on the floor legs straight out in front of me. Every one came over to see if I was all right, I felt fine, I could talk okay and think okay but my bloody legs would not listen to me, they had a mind of their own. My mates picked me up and put me on a bar stool next to the bar, I finished off the whiskey and asked Snow for my usual 5oz beer to dilute the whiskey. Not sure how many I had or how I got home.....But I was sure thankful it was Sunday next day..( No Work ) Digby left Otira not long after that I think Transferred or left the Police Force!! Never heard from Digby again.
I love the West Coast with all my heart, the people in my day were straight up and would help you if you were in trouble. Sure we had some hard cases but even they had a soft spot at times or they could be bloody tough, My favourite spot would have to be the Alps mainly Otira...I have a very soft spot for that area. I think mainly because you felt like you were free there, as long as you kept a sense of honour, worked when needed the rest of the time was yours to do as you wished. There is nothing like coming from Arthur's Pass area towards the Otira Divide, you can actually see where the tops end and the tree line starts, this is true all along the mountains as far as you can see. It is as if GOD had drawn a pencil line along the mountains dividing tussock from trees, the sight in early morning is fantastic and takes your breath away.
I was coming back from Burnham camp with two mates of mine, they had never been to the West Coast of the South Island before, so I decided to take them home too Greymouth by car. We stopped at the top of the great divide just before we start to drop down the zig-zags, it was around 8am and the sun was just hitting the snow tops with a golden glow. I told them to get out and see this....The bush knew they were strangers and it knew I was coming home, so it put on a show like I have never seen before or since. The sky was clear and crisp with a sharp blue look to it, not a cloud in the sky. The morning was very quiet except for the call of the Kea, the Kea's were wheeling about and as they turned the sun caught their under plumage showing a brilliant red, the green plumage showed up well in the sunlight. Bellbirds were calling to us from down in the bush in the valley, the sun crept along and kissed the snow cap tops with a brilliant yellow ting its rays warming us as we stood and took it all in. The Valley was in flood with a sea of red rata, punctuated here and there by the white rata. The sun came over and flooded the whole valley with its fingers of gold, it was to much for these hard bitten old Sargent's from the Army. I heard one say “OH MY GOD” this is magic, the other old Sargent didn't say a thing just let loose a torrent of air like he had been holding it for a long while. I looked at him and he, the same as me had tears in his eyes. I just said …..I'M HOME.....The other two looked at me and nodded, later in Greymouth after a few beers they both remarked on the spectacular spectacle that was presented to them...they reckoned they will never forget that moment every,.....nor have I and I never will. What a fantastic world we live in!!!
I remember one time we had the snow storm up in the Alps blocking off Arthur Pass right through to Springfield, I was loading the flat top wagons in Otira to take cars trucks and what ever through the tunnel to Arthur's Pass. It seems that from Arthur's Pass to Springfield the Road works were out clearing the road, but from Otira to Arthur's Pass the snow was to deep & heavy. So all people wanting to go through to the other side had to go through the tunnel by rail, I was walking along counting the cars lined up...counting of the next loadings onto the flattops. When I came across Dr Nixon in his car ( Dr Nixon has been our family Dr since I was very young ) I said what are doing here Doc, he said to me....He had a 100 pound bet on with Dr Dallas that he could get to the Addington Races before him, Dr Dallas has gone the other way in his car and I have taken this way. Taking this way it seems I may have lost my bet....I told him to hang fire and we can see what we can do, I walked up to where they were starting to load the wagons and asked the Shunter to hold on and let this Dr through as he has to get to Arthur's Pass, some one is pretty sick over there. Every thing was held up and I waved the Dr onto the wagons, there were a few remarks about jumping the queue but when they knew it was a Dr nobody complained any more.
We loaded the Dr up with about 20 more cars and sent them off through the tunnel. Months later I had reason to go and see the Dr, I asked him about the race and he said he had won the 100 pound plus they had a great 2 days at the races. My visit to the Dr that day was free..Who says Kindness doesn't pay??
You just have to live on the Coast to get away with some of the things we used to get up to, Take for instance the day 3 of us kids were down white baiting on the rocks. We didn't get much and we were a little disappointed, we had big ideas of supplying the families with whitebait fritters for tea and being hero's at the same time.
We were going home so we put the net up under the wharf and started to walk home, we went along to the station as we wanted to use the toilet. We didn't have a penny so waited until some one came out of the toilet, then held the door open so we could all take turns going for a pee. As we walked along the Station towards the over pass there was the Porters barrow ( The one they use to load all the luggage on ) it had 4gall tins of whitebait loaded right up ready for the railcar to take them to Christchurch, the lids has been spot soldered on so we couldn't get into it. One of the boys found a little hole in the side of the tin in the middle of the stack, so we worked on that and found it widened without to much trouble. Then I took off to the back of Frank Bells Dairy some distance away and managed to get 3 empty quart bottles, I ran back as fast as I could as I knew the railcar would be loaded soon and then we would lose every thing. The boys had turned the Barrow so that the tin we were going to attack was facing away from the Station, thereby blocking the view from the offices or anyone working on the platform. We started to open the torn tin wider and the excitement was fantastic, out came the whitebait and we had to try and control the flow with our hands. Filled one quart, filled the next quart and finally the 3rd quart then we had to bend the tin back so no more would flow out and be wasted. We were on a high...now I know how Ned Kelly and Robin Hood felt, we managed to stop the flow and semi seal the tin and moving cautiously back, we took of like the Devil himself was after us. Mum cooked the whitebait that night for our tea and Dad was pleased with my days catch, it was a long time before we went anywhere near the station again...and an even longer time for a whitebait Tea again!!
I was picked to defend NZ against any foe that threatened our land...in other words the marble landed on my birth-date so in I went. It was not as I thought it would be, and the Regular Force were there to make sure we did not live to enjoy any part of our life. There was so much yelling and screaming at us, that when I did leave the Army I was afraid to get married (for a long time) Anyway I worked my way up to transport NCO in the Artillery and I had 12 drivers and 94 vehicles to look after, I asked one particular driver to just check the two differentials under and RL Bedford to make sure the he could touch the oil inside the filling hole. He had a crescent spanner and crawled under the truck, I left him to it and went back to check on the other drivers and paper work. Half an hour later I went past to the truck and there was a pair of feet sticking out, just where I had left him. I went under the truck to check if he was okay and the bugger was sound asleep ( crook from the Booze )....Now I can relate too that in a big way and decided not to fine him, so I asked him did he check the Diffs first before going asleep? “NO” Why Not? Reply...I don't know how to use the crescent spanner. The Crescent Spanner, all you do is turn a little wheel on it and the jaws adjust to any size you want it for. I told him I will think of some thing for him, and to come and see me in the morning. That evening after dinner I went to the Sergeants mess to have a few drinks, there I got talking to the Warrant Officer of the Mechanical unit. I told him what had happened and he said give him to me for a week. Next morning I told the young soldier to report to the Mechanical Unit and ask for WO2 Clark, he was quite keen to go for he thought it was a driving job. Oh no no no...No driving job, he had to make about 12 different size holes in this piece of timber go through the bolt box and find different bolts to fit the holes. Then when he had done that he had to find the nuts that went onto the different types of bolts, once that mission was completed he had to place the timber in a vice get the crescent spanner and practise adjusting the spanner to fit the nuts. When that was done he was to turn the nuts right to the base of the wood and then undo them again, once that was completed he was to move to the next nut and do the same....and so on. When this mission was completed he had to start all over again, this went on for 3 days by that time some one said to me I'm sorry Trevor can I come back now. I told him he only had 2 more days to go and then he could come back. After the 5 days were up I could ask this young soldier to do anything, and he did it immediately....No More trouble from there on.
I had a fantastic time in the Army, at this stage I was a 2 striper Full Bombardier and we were down in Tekapo having a big exercise for a month. I was still attached to Headquarters Battery and still in Charge of the Vehicles, I had the authorisation to sign any vehicle out to who ever ( Man the Power I had ) Now after the month long camp down there in Tekapo it was time to head back to Burnham Military Camp, we packed every thing up and loaded onto trucks...( the idea of a convoy is to be 100 yards behind the vehicle in front of you and only travel at 40 miles an hour ) this is to allow public traffic to over take at ease. I was asked to drive the “OFFICERS MESS TRUCK”!!!!! Officers Mess Truck was full of booze, and they asked this little old West Coaster to drive it and look after it....wonders never cease. My Co Pilot was from Hokitika and the other passenger was from Westport, now the RL Bedford they loaded all that booze into had a gun turret in the cab roof and the big canopy hiding all that pleasure had a surveillance flap in the front facing the cab roof. ( I think you are starting to get the picture ) All 3 of us were slightly crook from the night before and the heat of the cab and being Summer in all it took its toll on us. At the first stop all the trucks bunched up and parked as far off the road as possible, Cup of tea time and a break. While having the break I went into the back of the Truck just check on a few things and open up the observation flap....just to let some air through....(you understand??) Then we were off again going back to our travel distances and speeds, as it happened things got hot again, so I suggested to my Co Pilot that he go through the turret and in through the flap and find some thing nice and bring it back to us.
He handed down 6 bottles of beer, to which we drank over a short time and he went back for more this time cold cans. I don't remember how long the drive was, and I don't remember driving past the gates of Burnham Military Camp. I do remember seeing Rolleston Railway station and realised I was heading towards Addington, I stopped and turned around and headed back. As we were heading back there was two MP land-rovers with lights flashing heading towards Rolleston, I didn't think anything of it until we got to Burnham...it was dark by then. I was told that the Military Police were looking for me and the Truck!! they told us to get out of the cab and one of their men would park up the truck and put it under guard for the night. Well we got out of the truck ( More like falling out ) and we stood against the Truck just in case the Truck fell over, my boss looked at us and said get to bed I will deal with you in the morning.
We finally found out barracks and crashed, next day a big pep talk and confined to Barracks with one day loss of pay. Well I ask you, fancy putting West Coasters in charge of a booze truck?????
Well I worked my way up in the Army to a two striper, my RSM was a man by the name of TINY HILL a Tall lanky bugger with a bit of Maori in him. He always called me the wild West Coaster...sure I got into a few things here and there in the Army, so I happened to get a tag from Tiny as the Wild West Coaster ( Actually I liked the man ). Well one day he came up to me and said tomorrow I want you to sew these on, I looked at what he was giving me and said that's Sergeant stripes Tiny I don't want them I am happy where I am as a two striper. You get them sewed on by tomorrow, I said why me Tiny? there's plenty of other guys better than me. Tiny said yes there is but they don't know the tricks that you do, so it's better to make you the Sergeant and easier for me to keep an eye on you. That was that, and I hated going on Parades then some one told me that a Staff Sergeant has no place on Parade ground, so I thought that's for me I'll be a Staff Sergeant so off I went and started to do all the tests and exams. I passed them all up to the part where I had to march a squad of 8 soldiers, what an act...I was a very sick boy!! wearing the old sand suits from WW11, it was a hot day in Winter ( although it felt like mid Summer ) and I was trying to shout orders for the squad. They were marching away from me and my voice was just a squeak, the squad just kept marching and I muttered to myself stuff it let the buggers go. When suddenly from right behind me came this bellow “SQUAD HALT” well I went about 2 feet in the air, dam near made a mess in the rough pants and had one hell of a fright I turned around and there was Tiny, big smile on his face. I said you big useless bastard you could have given me a bloody heart attach. Still grinning Tiny said what's wrong Coaster....I told him I was feeling sick. He brought the squad back and told me to just keep them there saluting for about 5min, then Tiny said he was going to the Sergeants mess, I'll have one on the bar for you Coaster see you at 12pm at the mess.
A couple of minutes went by and I dismissed the squad and made a bee line for the mess, I pushed open the door and headed for the bar. There sitting on the bar was a freshly poured large handle of light brown liquid with a soft bubbly froth on the top, the froth was just starting to cascade down the side of this chilled glass and the light shone on the cold sweat beads on the glass lighting it up like shrine piece. My hand entered the handle part of this gift from the Gods and I lifted it gently to my lips, the feeling was one of absolute pleasure when the cool liquid teased my lips then started its cooling journey to my lower abdomen. What a fantastic sensation and feeling as this liquid started to bring down the high temperature in my body, I swear steam was coming from around my collar as it flowed down my throat. I placed the pint pot back on the bar stood back and wiped my lips, breathing a sigh of relief and contentment, I heard a voice say did you enjoy that? There was this fellow standing at the bar and I said yes I did very much thank you!! then he said well that was my bloody beer mate. I said I was sorry and said I would buy him one, he said no way mate that was worth watching, shit he said you must have been thirsty. I said Tiny was going to set one up on the bar for me and I thought that was it, looking around there was Tiny on a leaner table big grin on his face pointing at a pint pot. I still liked the old bugger he was a real gentleman was our Tiny Hill.
I shifted to Stratford with the Railways as a Thermit Welder, Welding up the tracks ( getting rid of the joints ). My area was from Stratford to New Plymouth and South to Hawera and down to Patea, Inland as far as Oakuni, I did at one stage go over to the Ra-rimu Spiral and train a gang over there to Thermit Weld.
I had a part time business selling sacks of mussels and Oysters, normally every one was pretty good at paying only a few were slow but eventually they paid up. One particular woman had a sack of Oysters off me at $38.00 a sack, I kept asking for the money but she was always broke, this went on for a few months. In the end I confronted her and asked for payment ….I was told to go and Photograph myself and a few other things as well, so I though right you have asked for it girl....too broke to pay me but plenty for the Pub and she stayed right up until closing as well. Now she has a little Morris 1000 she drives to the Pub and home again, so I asked a couple of mates if they could help me one night. Yep not a problem Trev, so we waited and as usual she arrived and parks the Morry in the same place around the back and went inside. We waited for about 10 minutes then started our get even tactics, we lifted the Morry up onto blocks of wood and took off the wheels....yep undid the nuts and took the whole 4 wheels off. My mate took them out to his place as he knew there would be trouble at my place. We heard through the grape vine that this woman came out of the Pub (Late) got into her car started it up and put it gear. Her friends were there waving to her as went to drive off, looked out the window and her friends were still there, tried putting the car into another gear but still staying there. It wasn't until one of her friends could see the wheel drums spinning that some thing was wrong!! well it was a couple of days later when the Police came around to see me, just one Cop and tall gangly bugger with Maori features, asking me if I knew about the wheels going missing. I said that I had heard about it but it has nothing to do with me, he said this woman who owns the car does she owe you some money? I told him yes she owed me for a sack of oysters but I have given up waiting for her to pay, then he said to me if she paid you for the oysters would the wheels come back? I said at least I would get my money back and you never know the wheels might come back also. He looked at me and said Trevor Scott, Trevor Scott have you been on the West Coast South Island or come from there? I said yes...from Greymouth. Were you ever in the Army I said yes..a little puzzled now, do you know an officer in the Army by the name of Tiny Hill? I said shit yes he was my RSM.....well he is my brother, I am Tam Hill. Tiny always talks about this Wild West Coaster and now I am beginning to see why. A day later I was Paid my $38.00 and that night some wheels were returned to a waiting Morry 1000. Just goes to show all is well that ends well!!
Tiny took me as his Batman to drive him down to Addington Barracks ( I was still a 2 striper then ) we arrived there at 8am and the Camp Commodore asked Tiny if he had breakfast yet? Tiny said no and nor has my Driver, we went and had a wonderful breakfast and during the talking Tiny introduced me to the Camp Commodore as Trevor Scott the wild West Coaster, The commodore was really interested in me and said do you know how to play 45s? I said yes, to which the Camp Commodore said would you teach me? I said that the only way to learn the game is to play it, after the days work driving around we were asked to stay for tea. Tiny said we had to get back to Camp as they were expecting us, The Commodore said nonsense and called Burnham to tell them that Tiny will be a little late...Then after tea Commodore wanted to learn West Coast 45s card game. It was around 10pm when the Commodore called Burnham Camp and told them that Tiny and his driver were staying over night, during the course of the Evening and morning Tiny kept dropping off to sleep the Camp Commodore and I were still drinking and playing cards......he was slowly getting the hang of the game but couldn't quite get this part about reneging. I didn't mind as I was making a quid or two, free booze and a feed later on. Finally we all went to bed and after a hearty breakfast headed back to Burnham Camp, Tiny was tired and I had a stupid grin on my face and when we got to Burnham Camp Tiny said to me, that was the last time I go as Driver for him...I am to dam dangerous.
I am going back a bit now to when I was about 15 or 16, Some may put me right but I think it was Sailor Hill and his wife ( I think her name was Cathy, not sure ) who had the Marawhiti Pub!! We were in there one late afternoon heading back to Greymouth when the dreaded thirst got to us, so we stopped in for a couple of quick beers around 5 ish. Around 5.30 a travelling Salesman came in breasted the bar and ordered a beer he asked Sailor if any chance of having a meal here? Sailor said sure but his wife wanted to get to Greymouth to do some shopping ( Friday Night 9pm shops closing ) so the meal will be on the table soon. The Salesman nodded and carried on drinking, when another Salesman came through the door went up to the bar and asked for a beer, he stood next to the other Salesperson. Next thing you now they started chatting and as you chat the time moves on, and as you do when drinking with some one you shout them a drink and then they shout back. The 2nd Salesman also asked to have tea there with the other Salesperson, 5.30pm Cathy came in and said you meals are on the table....yeah yeah we will be in shortly. 5.45 Cathy came in and said again your meals are on the table....okay Mrs we will finish the beer and come in and eat. Sailor said to both these fellows you had better go and eat...she is not joking around, one went to the toilet and the other said fill them Sailor and then we will go and eat. 6Pm and in came Cathy again this time a little angry, and said I am only going to say this just once more, Your Bloody Tea in on the table come and eat it!! Both men said okay we will be there and made an attempt to drink the beer down to the ½ way mark, Sailor behind the bar was washing the glasses in the under the counter sink and drying them with the tea towel, he was polishing the glasses and looking at the two Salesmen and said to them: Boys you had better do as you are told, I am warning you if you don't go in she will come and get you....then you will be sorry, Take your beers in with you!! 6.20pm These two were engrossed in their sales talk, both of them facing the bar with one foot on the trough that goes around the bar ( Hip-shod ) ( I remember this well ) The door to the Dinning room flung open and banged against the wall, ( Sailor was serving me two beers and said “Oh Oh” here we go!! ) Cathy entered the Bar and made a beeline for these two men at the bar, ( Every one stopped talking and watched ) she did not say a word but both men had their back to her. Cathy went behind the two men shoved her hands between their legs got a firm grip on each of their family jewels and squeezed, as she squeezed she lifted them at the same time bringing them to tiptoe......turned them around and still on tiptoe marched them out to the Dinning room. All the while this was happening Sailor was standing behind the bar saying I warned you two, I told you to go for Tea, maybe now you will listen to me in future. A little time later....Cathy came out of the Dinning room all dressed up and said to Sailor you can get those bastards to wash the dishes I'm off to Greymouth. I don't know who washed the dishes, my mate and I headed for Greymouth just happy it wasn't us!! When Cathy has her back up, she is a force to be reckoned with and NO mistake!!
I used to be pretty good at Home Brewing Beer, Wine or spirits, when we shifted from Otira to Springfield I took up the brewing with a vengeance...nothing was sacred I cooked the lot. It seems that I had a reputation of being able to hold my liquor well and actually put the stuff away very well indeed, no sign of drunkenness at all.
One day a Train Driver and his family got a transfer to another city from Springfield, and when they moved they left behind a very nice garden full of growing veggies. Among the growing veggies were some very nice young carrots, they weren't quite ready for eating so I thought to myself why not make a carrot whisky out of them. I dug them all up topped them and washed them and started the process of turning them into the nectar for the Gods, I had them bubbling away under an air lock for around 3 months....I had actually forgotten about them sitting in the Wash House...until I was reminded that they were in the way ( You Guys know what I mean!! ) I carefully wracked the fluid off into a 5Ltr Jimmy John and capped it...and again left it, Again reminded that the STUFF was in the wash house under the concrete twin tubs. I had a look and the fluid had settled out nicely giving a clear light whisky colour to it, I washed out some old whisky bottles I had gathered a long time ago and started to fill these up with the nectar. I had to have a little taste and Boy did it taste good better than the Pub whisky. I never did find out what proof it was but let me assure you it was NOT like a mild soft drink, when it went down it started cleaning the tubes by working on the tongue and back of the mouth first. Then it started to sterilize the throat as it went down, you could feel the a warm tingling feeling going out along your arms to the fingers. ( I thought I was in love all over again ) It felt really good the flavour was just right and the colour was spot on, and yes I did light it with a match and a methylated spirit like flame came off it...Fantastic. Well I bottled the Alexia and put it away. Now my mate Eric came in for a drink one Saturday afternoon, so I brought out my carrot whisky ( Eric was more of a beer drinker ) Carrot you say...Yes Eric but is has a kick to it...okay maybe just one then. Within 1 hr Eric was on the floor playing with my kids like a big kid himself, scrambling around on all fours...giving the kids a ride on his back. We had a couple more ( only small ones ) and Eric said he was going up to the pub, it was snowing out side, so I said if you could wait a while I will take him up in the car. No need I can go now and you catch up when you are done here. Okay Eric....are you sure you are okay?? No problem.... Another 1.1/2hrs went by before I could get up to the Pub, by this time it was really snowing quite heavy. I arrived at the Pub went inside and no Eric, we didn't think much of it has he probably went home. An hour had gone past and I had this uneasy feeling he was still on his way to the Pub, I said to my mate I am going to back track and look for him. Both of us started back along the track to the Railways Houses, it was still snowing as we walked along the track and came to the little creek. This creek only had a plank across it to walk over as it was only 1.5m wide and not very deep, we walked over it still no footprints....but then it had been snowing hard for a few hrs. As we walked by I noticed a hump by the side of the track ( There has never been one there before ) so we investigated, under that snow was Eric curled up into a ball and half frozen. We got him to his feet and took him to the Pub where they had a big roaring fire going, Eric could not speak and he was shaking like a leaf. When he did finally come round we asked him what happened? and he said that bloody Carrot Whisky of Trevor's...never again, I was doing alright, ( so he thought ), when I found myself on the ground and couldn't get up again. Eric never touched my Spirits at all after that....stuck to his beer all the time after that.
I was sitting at home in Springfield with the wife and kids, a big open fire going in the sitting room watching TV, we had a sleeper with one end in the fire and the other part of stretched into the room by about 2 metres. Every time the end burnt off we just pushed the sleeper in, no running out side in the snow for more firewood. We were sitting quiet and watching TV when there was a knock on the front door, I got up and opened the door....there were about 4 of my mates there wanting to come in. I stood back and in they came, along with some guy I had never seen before. They introduced him to me and sat down, I asked what the visit was all about? and they told me that this fellow ( they introduced me to ) had heard about my drinking ability and wanted to challenge me. I said you have to be kidding...why come here to my home? It seems, that come hell or high water this fellow wanted to challenge me to a drinking dual.
So I brought down my carrot whisky and poured out 2 half glasses ( the glasses were the short shot glasses used for whisky ) I placed one in front of this fellow ( I will call Joe ) Joe had his drank before I even sat down...just up ended it and said come on we are here to drink what's the matter with you? I said take it easy with that stuff, you don't know its strength so go easy. I was called a pussy by Joe and he looked at my mates and said ..I thought you said he was a top drinker?? Well that was it I poured two more half glasses and Joe tossed his straight back with a grin on his face, my empty glass hit the table the same time as his empty glass. My so called mates looked at each other and started to grin, they knew what was coming...so this time I filled the two glasses to the top. I tossed mine straight back and put the glass on the table, Joe picked his up and looked like he was going to do the same but only drank half the glass, then had another go at it. While he was debating on the second half of his drink I had filled mine up again and waited for him to finish so I could fill his glass. Joe was seemingly looking a little slower, I filled his and tossed mine back...Joe was very slow with his drink and took his time to finish it. Meantime I had filled mine again and his and tossed mine back, Joe drank half of his and then decided to go out side for a smoke. We were all sitting inside when we heard this piercing scream from out side, we rushed out side and there was Joe laying on the lawn looking up into the sky. He was screaming very loud and when we came up to him and looked down on him he just went absolutely berserk, he still had a smoking cigarette in one hand and his lighter in the other. We finally got him up and my mates took him home, a few days later back at the Pub we pieced together what happened along with info from Joe. It seems Joe went out for a smoke, he was standing on the lawn that had about 4” of snow on it. He had his back to the house and was looking at the fence and road when he went to light his fag. It seems that while he was lighting the fag he fell backwards but didn't know or feel anything. It wasn't until he took the lighter away and looked straight ahead that all he could see was stars...where the fence & road should have been. He turned his head to the left and saw nothing but stars and the same when he looked to the right, up, or down. He actually thought he was on the edge of the earth and if he moved he would fall off that was why he was screaming so loudly...and then all of us came out and peered over him, that spaced him out even worse. Joe never ever came back to my place again...as a matter of fact the Publican from the local Hotel gave me a dressing down because Joe was one of his best customers and now thanks to me he has given up drinking....FOR LIFE!! Carrot whisky is Ideal for veterinarians??? or fuel for the Car.
The days in Otira.....I will never forget or the antics we used to get up to.
We were working one day at the Deception area between Otira and Jacksons on the rail track, in that particular area there was the slip, road and rail all together. When it rained there would be a slip come down and block the road, and some times spill onto the rail track as well. We were called to the area to shift the slip from the rail and work in conjunction with the Road works staff, then we would go back the next day and fix the line properly. One particular day we were sent to the area to line and re-tamp the track, it was a blistering hot day and we were all stripped down to the waist. Not a cloud in the sky ….just a very hot yellow ball trying hard to fry us, the guys wanted to cool off in the river. Now the river its self is some way off from our work area but there is a deep pool of crystal clear water very close to the rail and road, it is about 12 to 14 foot deep and about 40foot wide and very still it would be around 100 yards long. It is so clear that you can see the stem and veins in the leaves lying on the bottom and the stone are very clear to look at...and it doesn't LOOK very deep. As I said it was very hot so I said to the guys if you want a quick dip go for it ( Me included ) Well I was the first in ( after I was the leader ) all together 9 of us went in for that quick dip....and I mean quick. We went in as Stallions and came out the other side as Geldings....it was bloody freezing, there we all were on the stone bank on the other side trying to make up our minds to dive in and swim back again shivering like hell. Even the teeth would not stop chattering, then suddenly along came the old Vulcan rail car heading to Otira. There we were all in plain view all 9 of us facing the main river with our backs and backsides displayed to the Railcar, the driver God Bless him, kept tooting the bloody horn and slowed up so every one was looking to see what was happening. Glancing over my shoulder I could see a row of white faces looking out of the Railcar windows, some with grins big enough to split their faces. It soon trundled out of sight and we dove into the water and swam back to the job and clothes, again we were freezing and all important parts of our anatomy disappeared inside to get warm ….it took a long time for every thing to get back to normal again. We arrived back at the Depot that night and went to the Pub....every one was talking about the new NUDE Gang working on the track!!!
That was the same day...Lunch time that we heard the thrashing of water just a little way away from us, it was a Rainbow Trout heading up the little rapids. It was a good size, with most of it's body out of the water and struggling to get up the stony rapids which were only about 2inches deep. Young Mike took of after it with a shovel chasing it up the rapids, he finally got it and brought it back to show us....yes it was a good size alright. Mike put it in the water of our swimming hole to keep while we were working, anything would keep in that water for ever!! I think are deep freezer at home was warmer than that pool, it was taken home by Mike and graced the dinner table that night. Who says you can't have fun at work???
Remind me never to pick on a Hokitika guy.
I was in Springfield at the time my mate ( who was living in Anat ) came to me at 8am on a Saturday morning and asked me to go to the local Pub with him. Dave W was his name, I said Dave it's a bit early why the rush? He said he wanted to go for a beer...so who am I to argue with that and being a good mate we went...me just to keep him company you understand!! The Publican was still cleaning out the Bar and restocking the chiller when we arrived, we were told to go in and pour ourselves a drink and he would be there shortly. We poured our drinks and then set up to play pool after a time Dave said what time is it? I said 8.30am and we carried on playing pool. Dave kept asking me the time about every 1/2 hr or so!! Lunch time came and went and we were still drinking and playing pool, around 2.30pm the Police came and went straight to Dave W they questioned Dave and asked him where was he this morning. Dave said here drinking and playing pool with me, the Police asked me if that was true? and I said yes, the Publican chipped in and said they were here at 8am and had not left the Bar. The Police left....I knew some thing was up when Dave kept asking me the time every 1/2 hour or so, I said out with it Dave what is going on? Dave said do you know when I took the Shearing Gang over to Aussie about 4 years ago? I said yes there was a bit of strife over the Kiwi Shearers being in Aussie. Dave said well when he went over and took the Gang he had to leave his wife behind with their kids for about 19 months, ( Dave's wife is a tall very pretty and shapely young lady ) It seems that the next door neighbour tried to jump the fence, and when he was told to bugger off got very nasty with Dave's wife. It seems that he made life quite bad for her while Dave was gone, Dave's wife kept contacting Dave to tell him what the neighbour was doing to her and the kids. To day.... it seems that the neighbour was living beyond his means and was mortgaged up to the hilt, it appears he needed this crop of wheat he had to be harvested and that would take some pressure of him. BUT the crop went up in smoke ( some how ) and Dave was blamed for it....that was why the cunning bugger had me go to the Pub with him. I was told that there were several ways to set fire to a wheat field without leaving a trace!! One would be to place right smack in the middle of the ready and ripe crop an AG jar turned upside down and placed over a candle with enough dry material around the bottom to keep the AG jar off the ground to protect flame from wind or breeze, candle burn down and set dry material alight nature does the rest. Flames take over and spread from the centre of the crop and burn out in a ring like fashion, the candle burns away so there is NO sign of it and the heat causes the AG jar to break and that would look like and old jar that had been reflecting the sun onto the crop!!! I saw Dave again 2 months later and he told me that the Neighbour had lost every thing to the bank, and he had a mate come and pick up what furniture he could and help them shift. As he drove past Dave and his wife, Dave yelled to him one word (GOTCHA). Dave came from Hokitika.....so you out there don't mess with Hokitika guys it may take a while but they will get you. Dave said he waited 3.1/2 years to get even!!
When I was 15 I took a trip to the Arawhata Valley South Westland to go Deer Shooting with Rod R, I took the plane the old Domina ( Double winger plane ) from Hokitika to Haast then was picked up by Jeff H and flown up the valley to where Rod was, in a small single winger plane. I looked out of the plane and Jeff said to me there is Rod down there, all I could see was the river and a little stony bank...being that high up the bank looked like a sandy bank and I thought it would be okay to land there ( wouldn't IT?? ) Jeff brought the plane around and we dropped lower, and the lower we went the bigger the sand grew until it was small rocks. I thought shit is he going to land on that small bank?? well we did, and one wheel was in the waters edge and the other on the rocks. Rod came out of the bush and we loaded 5 deer into the Plane, Rod told Jeff to take me up to the top hut and drop me off as it was a 12 hour walk away with the pack horses. Well Rod turned that thing around and gunned it, the wheels were touching the river as we took off and started to climb. Gathering height we headed up river...Jeff pointed out where the top hut was and I thought shit hear we go again there is no place to land!!!!! Jeff flew up the river a way and we banked steeply and dropped down close to the river ( I knew we were close to the river as my seat was warm & wet ) Coming down the river there was a group of trees protruding out into the river, so the river was forced to go around the trees but came back in again on the other side like a horse shoe shape.
I looked at Jeff because these bloody trees were getting closer all the time, and he did not look like he was going to change course, and I am dam sure the trees weren't going to move for us. Then Jeff yelled "HANG ON" what bloody too I wanted to know!! Jeff gunned that little plane until every nut and bolt was shaking ( Or maybe it was just me?? ) We left the river and headed over the trees the wheels just tipping the tops of the trees and then Jeff cut the engine....Well shit would be the right word for it and a few more besides, now I know what the word frozen stiff means. ( If you ever come across that little aircraft, you will see finger imprints in the steel frame of the seat and large boot prints pushed into the metal floor, and there will be a large BROWN STAIN on the seat )
When Jeff cut the engine we dropped like a stone on the other side of the trees, just before hitting the ground he started it up again and we landed on the grass slope on an angle. I could not explain how we got there as my eyes were the size of plates not saucers, after stopping and turning the craft around Jeff turned to me and said how was that? It took me a long time for my eyes to focus and get words into my mouth as my stomach was still up there with my teeth. Getting out of the plane was a mission as my legs were like rubber and I had this wet sticky feeling around the backside area.
I watched Jeff turn the plane around and take off, he waggled the wings at me and that was the last time I saw him for a couple of months. He flew supplies into us that he picked up from Hokitika, the deer went to the Haast freezing works and then Jeff would fly up to Hokitika bank the money and draw some out and shop for us and fly it back in when he came to pick up more deer.
When it was time to leave Jeff flew me out to the Haast, I had no money so I worked at the Haast Freezing works until I earn enough to buy a ticket to Hokitika on the old double winger. Fantastic Time I had there and free....What a fantastic Country we have. The thing I liked about NZ and mainly the West Coast was that as long as you were honest and trustworthy every one respected you for that and they would help in any way they could....prove you are an ASS'ole and you are on your own!!
I was around 44 years of age when my Father Ron Scott and I sat down to have a little drink together ( over a bottle of whisky ) Mum and Dad were in Blenheim then.
I said to Dad what made you come to NZ to live. ( Dad's story )
Well Son as you know I was in the Royal Engineers in the British Army ( Sappers ) we were in North Africa where we had a contingent of Kiwis attached to us, we thought at the time how the hell are we going to look after this mob it was hard enough looking after ourselves? The Kiwis were dressed in ill fitting cloths, were always smoking, drinking and playing cards when they saluted it looked like they were brushing flys away and when they talked to their officers they called them by their first names. Any of those rules you broke in the British Army you would be SHOT, but not the NZ Army. That is why we thought we would have to look after them, they seemed like they would not be able to look after themselves at all. How wrong we were for when the fighting started you made sure you cuddled up to a Kiwi them blokes knew how to fight and they were dam good.
When the war was over and we were demobbed back in England we all went back to our jobs.
( Dad was a Carpenter, Joiner, Cabinet Maker and Builder )
He said that even after a month of hard work and working two jobs, him and Mum, they still could not come right. They still owed a quid at the end of the month, times were hard, and I came along in 1946 my sister in 1949. Dad read a paper where they were asking Trades people to go to NZ to Immigrate there, Dad thought about the Kiwis in the war, and thought if that country is only half as good as those men it will be a mighty country. He approached Mum about the idea....poor old Mum being a Devon lass thought New Zealand was another town just down the road a bit and asked Dad if we could come home weekends. Dad said No lass once we are gone we wont be back. We arrived in NZ from England on the TSS Captain Cook in 1953 landing at Wellington first, It was blowing a gale and raining very heavy. A lot stayed on the Captain Cook and went home again....they didn't even get off the dam ship. We were loaded onto the Cook Straight ferry and taken to Tasman Hostel at Lyttelton Harbour in the South Island. We were only supposed to stay for 9 months max, but Mum being a great cook and Dad doing all the building maintenance we were aloud to stay for 18 months, after that time we shifted to Oxford Terrace in Christchurch only for a short time. Next move was to Otira in 1955-56 but only stayed there for 6 months then on to Greymouth, Dad worked for Rathburn Construction Company and after a time went out on his own. I went back to Otira twice after that once in 1963 and again married in 1968 shifted to Springfield around 1974.
True to his word both Mum & Dad never went back to England and are permanent Kiwis laid to rest in Blenheim.
Dad said it was the best move he and Mum had ever made ....thanks to the Kiwi Guys in North Africa.
Being in the track gang at Otira was a mission on it's own, you did not know when you were going to be called out for Snow, Slips, Floods and Derailments.....it was all in the lap of the Gods...and so were we at times!!!
On one particular night we were called out to a derailment at Arthur's Pass, we managed to get a bit of a crew together to go over in the Bedford bus ( The Green Beetle ) A fellow called Himi jumped into the drivers seat and said he would drive over the Otira Gorge, now Himi only drove the bus on the flat roads.....driving over the Gorge was another matter all together. I tried to talk Himi out of it as he had never driven over this terrain before, I mentioned to Himi that we had 13 men on board and at least 15 ton of equipment in the back compartment of the bus. "NO" Himi was still going to drive...so off we went, we got to the first steep bit with a hair pin bend in it. Himi had taken the bus too far over to the right hand side of the road so as to take the sharp corner, and ended up in the loose shingle on that side of the road. Himi tried to get the bus into a lower gear, in the meantime stopping the bus to engage the lower gear. With the weight of the men and tools and the loose gravel underneath, the bus started to slide backwards down the hill slowly but enough to put the most hardened man on board to have sweaty palms. There was a lot of yelling and blokes standing up telling Himi to open the frigging door, Himi normally a dark colour was now like one of us pure white.....only we were getting whiter as well. I reached over and pulled the door leaver to open the escape hatch ( you would be amazed at the amount of men that can get through a narrow door way all at once) when all out I eased Himi out of the drivers seat and took his place, I was the only silly bugger left on the bus, even Himi got out....I wasn't looking but I think he was first out the open door. All the men stood at the side of the road and looked on while I brought the Green Beatles onto solid road again and went around the next hairpin and waited for the men to get aboard.....I could here them telling Himi what they thought of him and his driving. When driving up the Otira Zig Zags you had to use up both sides of the road to get the bus around the hairpin bends, any one coming down would wait on a straight piece so they could pass you safety.....no way in the wide world could they pass you on the corners ( Any one having driven over the Otira Gorge will know exactly what I am talking about ). We arrived at the Yard in Arthur's Pass and set too to replace the wagons that had come off the tracks, we arrived at around 10pm that night and left the yard at 2am next morning. Driving back down the Zig Zags to Otira, every one was asleep except for a bloke we called Scruffy. He was in the seat behind me, he got his name scruffy because he always wore the bib overalls night and day and always had a mop of brown /black hair that looked like it had never seen a comb. Now Scruffy was in the seat right behind the driver, and as we went down to the first hairpin bend.....I had to drive as far right as I could so I could get the Ass end of the bus around. When doing that the headlights of the bus shone into black space because there is no road ( we are turning a corner about 1000' up)
The only time I could see the road is by looking through the glass panel at the bottom of the door, on the left side of the bus.....I had to keep the white centre line on the left side and in site at all times and when the we came to a little straight the lights came back onto the road again. ( That was on a left turn Hairpin corner ) Go along the little straight and then I had my head out the window to see around the right hand Hairpin, if I took it to short the Ass end of the bus would be off into space. Now as I said little Scruffy was behind me "WIDE AWAKE", and as I turned around these corners with the lights shining into nothingness, there was this very loud sucking in air noise and when I straightened the bus out on a straight piece of road there was this very noisy expelling of air. This went on until we hit the bottom of the Gorge, Scruffy told me he was shit scared the whole trip and how could I see to drive there was nothing but blackness. Scruffy never went on the bus again over the Gorge he always went by jigger through the Otira tunnel. Himi never ventured to drive over the Gorge either.....maybe it was the fact that NO one would go with him if he did drive. It was not long after this that all driving was stopped going over the Gorge with Railway Buses.
Fun and games had by all in and around Otira every hour of every day??
This is just a little play around by me, I altered a few things.....To all those that knew Miss O'Grady at Grey Main. God Bless her for putting up with me.
MY DADDY SLEEPS NAKED
"Late again!" Miss O'Grady the third-grade teacher sternly said to little Trevor.
"It ain't my fault this time, Miss O'Grady. You can blame this 'un on my Daddy.
The reason I'm three hours late is my Daddy sleeps naked!"
Now, Miss O'Grady had taught grammar school for thirty-some-odd years. Despite her mounting fears, she asked little Trevor what he meant by that. Full of grins and mischief, and in the flower of his youth, little Trevor and trouble were old friends,...... But he always told her the truth.
"You see, Miss O'Grady, out at the farm we got this here low down fox.
The last few nights, he done ate six hens.
Last night, when Daddy heard a noise out in the chicken pen, he grabbed his double barrelled shot gun and said to my Ma, "That fox is back again... I'm a gonna git him!'' "Stay back," Daddy whispered to all us kids!
"My Daddy was naked as a jaybird -- no boots, no pants, no shirt! To the hen house he crawled, just like an Injun on the snoop. Then, he stuck that double-barrelled 12-gauge shotgun through the window of the coop. As he stared into the darkness, with a fox on his mind, our old hound dog, Rip, had done gone and woke up and comes sneaking up behind Daddy. Then, as we all looked on, plumb helpless, old Rip done went and stuck his cold nose in my Daddy's crack!"
"Miss O'Grady, we all been pluckin' chickens since three o'clock this mornin!"
That sure reflects some of the things I used to get up to when I was younger and growing up..Like!! I got into trouble with Ms O'Grady when I climbed onto the Classroom roof to retrieve a ball...I had to go and sit in the corner for a while. With the words "YOU COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF YOU FELL"!! I am still alive today and I sure as hell did worse things than that. Do you remember the park just opposite the memorial swimming baths in Greymouth?? I was trying to catch the Bootlaces ( Very Young Eels ) in the Creek that ran through the park. One afternoon there was a group of kids playing rugby, one of them kicked the ball right into the top of the tall Pines Trees that were beside the creek. They stood there looking up into the trees and it seemed the ball was wedged up there, no one was going to go up and get it as it was to far and dangerous, so they started to walk away. That was until some daring idiot volunteered to climb up and get it for them, every one was telling me that it was to high to climb and I was to young to try it. I walked towards the trees and some one had to give me a boost up so I could get to the first branch, once I started to climb I had to climb around the tree as I went up, as the branches were off set. I reached the ball very near the top of the tree, it was a dam good kick to get it that high, it was wedged between the two branches and it would have been a long time for it to come down on it's own. I struggled for a while using one hand as the other hand was clinging to the top branch holding the ball, finally I worked it loose and parting the branch ends threw the ball down to the guys waiting. By this time it was starting to get dark as I climbed very carefully down the tree, marvellous how every thing is so different going down as to going up, in places I had to swing my whole body into nothingness just to land on the next lower branch. ( I swear some one changed the structure of that tree once I had gone up ) I finally hit the ground, as I had to jump from the last lower branch onto firm ground again. The guys were waiting for me and to thank me for retrieving their Rugby Ball, never did catch their names....or see them again...as I can remember. But I do know I had a 5 mile hike in front of me to get home to PAROA
Interesting years growing up, I knew everything and wouldn't listen...( Know it all ) boy was I in for a shake up. We were getting rid of some sitting room furniture...good old solid stuff, two solid chairs and a sofa.
I had a talk with Jeff Hindle and he said he wanted to exchange his sitting room suit for ours, so Dad & loaded up the old 1939 Ford Truck with a long wooden deck with our sitting room suit to take to Otira and swap with Jeff's suit. The trip up uneventful and we duly exchanged the furniture, now while driving all the way up one gets thirsty and not into drinking water unless it has been fermented, I set too to get rid of this raging thirst at the Otira Pub before heading back to Greymouth. I must have been there some time as Jeff had finished work, went home changed, and came down to see me at the Pub. He wanted a lift back to Greymouth...seems he had to attend a course in Greymouth to do with Train Examining, I said okay so we had a couple more to seal the deal. Going outside to get into the truck Jeff said aren't you going to tie the furniture down? I said it came up okay so should go back okay. What I didn't realise was that Dad's furniture was very heavy and solid and did not move at all on the way up, Jeff's was a lighter more modern type suit. Well we took off from Otira Pub and headed towards Jacksons. Arriving at Jacksons ....by this time after 7pm, we decided to say Hi to Tom Reece the publican and have a couple of his famous Possum & Blueberry Pies, and some thing to wash it down with. We left there after 8pm and headed towards Greymouth again, at a place near Rocky Point the dual wheels of the truck got caught in the low water drain and dragged us into the rock face. We crashed, but not to bad as we could still drive. Jeff was hobbling around and I asked him if he was okay? he had a hole in his leg 1/2 way between the thigh and the knee. It seems that on impact he went forward and got the window winder handle jammed into his leg causing a gash, we patched him up and carried on to Greymouth. We got Jeff seen too and I headed home with a battered truck, and next morning Dad woke me up and said is that all we get back after swapping furniture? I dressed very gently and went out into the blinding light of day...with a VERY dry mouth and could hardly speak. There on the back of the truck was one settee!!!! the two chairs no where to be seen!!! I managed to get out that there was two chairs some where between Greymouth and Otira, and then I was jolted back to earth with a description from Dad about the rearrangement of the 1939 Ford front!! What the Bloody Hell do you think you are playing at?? asked my Dad, after my explanation ( That I could remember ) I was grounded for a week and made to pay for the fixing of the truck. We caught up with Jeff some time later and fond out where one chair was at least, it seems the chair came off the truck on the way to Jacksons and landed upright in the middle of the road still all in one piece. Some fellows heading back to Otira from the Jacksons Pub came across it in the middle of the road, so finding it they were exchanging turns sitting in it having a drink. I was told that they put it to the side of the road when they had finished using it and left it there...it was never seen again. In the end Dad & Mum bought a new Sitting room Suit, Jeff's leg healed up okay leaving a large scar( Which he tells people, he was attacked by a Shark while out swimming ) The old red 1939 Ford truck I used to take to Dances, and when parked at night you had to leave the side lights on. Well meaning friends saw the lights on and thought I had forgotten to turn them off....so they would turn them off. By the time I came to take a young lady home, there would be a ticket under the window wipers. This happened so many times and I had so many tickets to pay, I even parked it under a street light, but no still got a ticket. You see the electrical system of the truck was 6 VOLT only and there fore drained the battery very quickly......just sitting there that truck cost me a small fortune, no wonder the Traffic Department could afford new Patrol cars after I paid for all my tickets. Now am older and some what wiser???
It was a tough life living in Otira, some thing always cropped up unexpected.
Like the time we were all drinking away quite merrily in the Pub around 8pm when this young fellow walked in tired and thirsty, I started up conversation with him to find out where he had come from. He told us that him and his mate were coming over from Christchurch to go to Greymouth, I asked him why didn't he come in for a drink? He told me that they had run off the road at the top of the Gorge and he had walked on to get help, he was very shaken up and his mind was all over the place. Don MacKenzie was there with a few others, Don went to the Cops place and got him, and we got the tow truck from the petrol station. We all went up in the Police car and tow truck, we were shown the area where the car had gone over the edge. It must have rolled a few times as it was about 100 feet down the bank and the only thing that stopped it going over the edge was a huge boulder it had come to rest against on its side. Jock Tuari and I went down on ropes as it was too steep to climb down on your own steam, I said to Jock to be bloody careful as there was a double barrelled shot gun aimed straight at us jammed in the earth. We reached the car and went inside it, was pretty spooky as we only had the search light from the tow truck trained on the car. The young fellow was sitting up on the back passenger side window, with his back against the boulder.
He was cold to the touch and no pulse in his neck. So I tried to shift him so we could put the rope around him to get him on the top of the overturned car, that was when I got a hell of a shock....even though it had been about 2 hrs the back of the body was quite warm. It seems the rock had held the heat from his body, where he had come to rest against it. We finally got the young man to the road and he was taken away, the rest of us headed back to Otira and you guessed it......The Pub.
Another day in the life of Otira!!
Trevor Scott I used to work for Fred Bailey at Bailey & Neville's (spelling) we used to do deliveries from Mawhera Quay all over Greymouth, Fruit & Veg Auctions were held there at the Depot and then we used to deliver to the shops. Old Fred NEVER stopped us taking fruit and eating it....his idea was that if we stopped staff eating the fruit they would start taking it when no one was looking. Every Friday night after work all the staff got a banana box of fruit and veggies to take home, after I had been there for 3 months old Fed said to me here Trevor have an apple, I replied with no thank you Fred. He said to me thank God for that, you are the longest person we had working here that kept on eating the fruit....we thought you would never stop. I hardly had anything after that, it was there if I wanted it ....but after the big feast for 3 months I went off it. I liked Old Fred, I came into the depot one morning and Fred was there talking to another man. Fred said to me Trevor your fired....I thought what the hell have I done? so I walked through to the Tudor Café where old Charlie owned it but worked part time with Fred. I told Charlie Fred sacked me for no reason, Charlie said that's not like Fred ...I will go and ask him. I had a cup of Coffee Charlie gave to me, and when he came back he said Fred wanted to see me urgently. Fronting up to Fred he said where have you been? you have deliveries to do get to it. I said but you sacked me Fred!! he said that was because that was the Labour Union Guy checking to see if all drivers are in the Union, I was not, as Fred was paying me over the odds and the free Veggie and Fruit at the end of the week. 6 months later I walked into the Depot and Fred was talking to this man...Fred looked up and Trevor your fired, I said okay and went into the Tudor Café for a coffee. Waited a while then went back to work again....in all I think I was fired about 4 times!!!! Yes I liked old Fred.
I was in Christchurch one DAY ( Sat ) to see a Mate, and we went for a few drinks in the Addington Hotel. I went into the pub around 4pm and settled into some quiet drinking with my 5oz glass, waiting for my Mate to arrive after 5pm. He came through the door at 5 past 5pm, along with about several hundred others. I have never seen such a circus in all my life, my Mate ordered 5 Jugs and two 8oz glasses came over to where I was sitting and started to fill and down these 8oz beers...I helped also. I was wondering what all the rush was about and said so, I was told the pub closes at 6pm so we try and drink as much as possible. Well I can tell you, a young 18 year old from the Coast used to quiet drinking and enjoying the drink, was not used to the Fiasco. As the time got closer to the deadline 6pm, the faster the pace, next thing I saw was people drinking straight from the jug. As at 6pm a DAM buzzer came on and kept on until the last person left the bar at 6.15pm, going out side people were bringing up beer and froth into the guttering. I thought that was it my Mate took off home in his car and I went straight to the Railway Station and caught the next Railcar home to the Coast, as luck would have it Lou Grant was the guard so I had a free ride. Lou always had a supply of refreshment in his bag, and him and I sat at the empty driver compartment at the opposite end of the railcar and partook into some refreshment, at a steady and sensible pace. He stopped the railcar opposite the Otira hotel, where I got off and went up to the pub across the tracks. The Railcar carried on to the Refreshment room, I stayed at the hotel until well into the early hours enjoying sensible drinking, good company and a good game of darts. "AH They were the days.....It was not long after that, when Lou won the 25,000pound Golden Kiwi. After that experience with 6 O'clock SWILL I could well understand why so many came to the Coast for a Weekend of ENJOYMENT!!!
Trevor Scott Well we were down Tekapo way doing a live shoot with 25Lb guns, 31 & 32 Battery along with Headquarters Battery. ( I may have said this before ) we were out in the field all day and around 2.30pm 0r 3pm there seemed to be a big supply of cans of beer arrive in the field I think it was around 2/- a can!! All the other gun crews were into it and having a great time, I had a talk with my gun crew ( as I was Gun Sargent ) and said to them they could sit out here and drink booze, or get the gun cleaned up, head back to camp, give the gun a quick flick and wrap it up for the night and they would be free until next day. They elected to get the Gun cleaned and head back to Base, we did that and when we got back to Base we give it a quick flick over to get the travel dust off it. All the other major parts were cleaned out in the field, and the barrel cleaned and plugged. Once done I said that it boys the night is yours see you tomorrow, they all took off. I went and had a shower and changed and headed to the Sargent's mess, after about 1 1/2 hours I was called to the tent entrance where one of my gunners stood. He promptly told me that a Lieutenant from another gun company had rounded up my crew to go and help his crew to clean all the Guns, in my book that was a NO NO. I don't give a dam who it was, so I went to find my crew and got them into a marching squad ready to March back to the mess tents. Along came this Lieutenant fellow and showing signs that he had partaken in a few, this was around 8pm and the gun crews had only just come in. He ordered me and my men to help with the cleaning, I pointed out to him that my men had cleaned their own gun, did not have any drinks in the field, and I had given them the night off. Well he got angry and started to wave his hands around, I told the squad to about face and motioned the Lieutenant to follow me behind the tents, he was still sounding off at me wanting my name and number for further reprimands. So I thought what the hell in for a penny in for a pound....It would NOT look good for me to tell my men that they had to go and clean up some one else's shit because they were to drunk to do it themselves. I had given my word and that is my bond, so I hit the bugger and down he went and lay there very quiet. I went back onto the road and about faced the troops and marched them off, reaching the mess area I bid them a good night and went back to the Sargent's mess. The Military Police came to get me......But I am sure Tiny Hill told them I wasn't going anywhere so could be arrested in the morning. I faced the Commanding Officer and he asked me what happened, I told him the truth and exactly as it happened, I got a weeks CB ( Confined to Barracks ) loss of pay for a week and busted back to Bombardier
BUT I still had the respect of the men, and had my stripes back within the month. That Lieutenant always gave me a wide birth after that........
Tiny Hill was a top man was our Tiny, I was told there was no place on the parade ground for a Staff Sargent, so I thought that's for me. So I sat the required exams just for that, the last thing I had to do was march a squad of 8 people as if on a parade ground to see if I could control the squad. Now it was a stinking hot day in Burnham Camp and I was in the old sandpaper suits ( it was supposed to be winter ) and also I was suffering from the night before. There I was yelling instructions to the squad, left wheel, right wheel, double march and all that stuff when my throat went very dry. Not a squeak came out of my mouth and the squad were marching further away, I just threw my hands in the air and said stuff it. I didn't know Tiny had crept up behind me to watch me in action, Tiny picked up what was happening to me and let out a mighty "SQUAD HALT" I must have gone about 6'' in the air with fright, on landing there was Tiny a big grin all over his face. He said what's the matter Coaster? I replied that he would be the biggest most useless Bastard God ever Created and that he could have given me a heart attach. I told him I was crook from last night, Tiny looked at his watch and said it'd nearly 12pm....just work the squad here for 5 minutes and come up to the Sargent's Mess, and he would have a beer on the bar for me. At 5 to 12pm I told every one to disperse and took off to the Mess, going through the doors at the Mess I spotted this pint pot sitting on the bar...just been filled and had the froth slowly running down the side of the glass, beads of moisture were all over the glass and light seem to shine on the Pint making it look like some thing from heaven. It looked like it was on a pedestal with the light shining on it, it was beckoning to me to sip the life blood of the pint. My hand slid into the handle and I lifted the pint to my lips and swallowed, I swear there was steam arising from my neck as the cool liquid flowed down to rescue my body. I smacked my lips on completion of the wonder-us Task and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, leaning against the wall beside me was another Sargent and he said to me....Did you enjoy that? I said fantastic, Then he said to me that was my beer!!! I told him I was very sorry and that Tiny said he would have a beer on the bar for me. I offered to buy him one and he said NO, it was worth it just to watch my face when I was drinking it. I looked around and there was Tiny at a leaner bar pointing to a glass, and laughing with tears in his eyes. He reckoned it was the best thing he had seen for a long time. Never did get the crown to go over the stripes???
Tiny had to make a trip into Addington Barracks one day and made the fatal mistake of asking me to be his driver ( After all I was the Sargent in charge of the Headquarters Battery Vehicles at the time) So away we went, this was around 2pm in the Afternoon, arriving at Addington Barracks Tiny sort after the Camp Commandant. Tiny introduced me to the Camp Commandant and told the Commandant I was the wild West Coaster, immediately the Commandant asked me if I could play 45's a card game from the Coast? I replied that I could. I was asked if I could teach him the game....I replied sure but you have to play it for money that way you learn faster, he agreed. Tiny sad we wont have time as we had to get back to Burnham. Commandant said nonsense Tiny I can fix that and then got on the phone to the CO at Burnham, we were told that we can leave tomorrow morning. Well Tiny did his thing at Addington and we were all finished by 5pm then into the mess ( I do not recall paying for a single drink that night ) we started to play cards after Dinner and then into the 45's at around 10pm. We played until 4am and the Commandant could not get over the fact that you could re-neg on a card and play straight back a card you had just trumped, we had a great time and I won a fair bit of money. Tiny cut out around 12am as he was getting broke, we went to bed around 4,30am up at 7am breakfast at 8am and started to head back to Burnham Camp. On the way back Tiny looked at me and said that is the last bloody time you are my Batman Coaster, where ever you go it's trouble with you. Tiny was true to his word I never drove for him again, we still had the odd one or drinks together before I went to Waiouru.....That is another whole heap of stories!!!
Trevor Scott When I was learning to Pan for Gold in Dillmanstown, the Old miner teaching me, told me about a bloke called Dynamite Dan. This Dan fellow had his office at the pub, so if you needed a job done you went to the Pub to get him to do the blasting job. After blasting Dan would go back to the bar and wait for the next job, if Dan did a job for you, there was a weeks grace to pay him in. After that he would come looking for you. One particular minor ( as the story goes ) had some tree stumps blown and huge boulders blown, after the job done Dan went back to the Pub. This Miner never came to pay what he owed Dan...so after two weeks, the miner called Dan, went looking for this person, It seems there was a lot of arguing and Dan was not paid. A week later this miners shed was blown up, and every thing he owned was in the shed blown to bits. The Police were notified, and Dan was pointed out as the person who did it, the Police were told to go and arrest him. The Policeman said that his House was all in one piece, and that was the way it was going to stay. Dan was never arrested for that, and any work he did in the area was paid up in the required time by the miners. That was just one story told to me by the Old Timer in 1959.
Trevor Scott ...At the back of Cobden's Kell's Hotel Early in the Morning,,,,,,,as the sun was not shining, I spied a fair Maiden. (No sorry that was a song) it Was very early when the Police raided, I went up the hill at the back of the Pub after it had rained for a long time. I nearly reached the bush when I slipped and came down on my elbows and knees, I had on my brand new suit from Hallenstines in Greymouth. When I hit the bottom there was a polished pair of boots in front of me, I followed the crease up the the blue trousers to a Jacket with gold metal buttons, and up to a stern face with a lovely helmet on the head. He looked at me and said what have I got to say about being there? I replied that I have just ruined a $40 quid suit and only a week old. He laughed and told me to get home as he was not going to charge me, I had paid enough by ruining the suit!! I thought he was pretty good ...as he could have rubbed salt into the wound by charging me on top of the suit!!
Trevor Scott We had a young Police Officer come to Otira, a few days back now, around 1973-4. He was going to do what no other Police Officer had ever done, and that was train the people and have the pub close on time. Well as you can imagine the Locals did not take kindly to that, so a vendetta started. The Family of the Police eventually had to leave Otira as things were getting to tough for them, the Cop had broken glass on the seat of his car. So when he jumped in he cut himself, then all sorts of things started to happen to him. He was the one that was going to destroy Old Mary's Stag she brought up from a fawn, down by the Taipo River. Well anyway he told me he would straighten out the town one way or the other, I left in 1974 and went to Springfield to work. I came back to Otira about 6 months later and went to the Pub ( Still Open after hours). I went in and low and behold who should be serving behind the bar ....YEP our local Cop, I went up to the bar to order a drink and he looked at me and said. DON'T you say a bloody word Trevor, I just smiled as I told him a long time ago he would NOT be able to change the people.......he was the one and said you watch me!!!
Trevor Scott My old Mate Wally Bachelor used to work for the Ministry of works grading the old road ( Going back a bit now ) there was no such thing as measurements or lineament. Wally would grade the corner to what he thought it should be, drive back to his car get in and drive around the corner at the required speed or faster. Get his grader and take a bit more off the corner, Wally would do that until he was satisfied that he could go around the corner at a good speed and feel safe and the car handled well. Old Wally was very good at his job, that was a few years back now. Wally and I drove from Fox Township to Greymouth for Fish and Chips one morning arriving Greymouth around 4am. Then back to the Fox again!!.....Oh to be young again!!
Trevor Scott's parent had the Brightwater Hotel and Trevor was put in charge... Once.
We had an old fellow that lived by the bridge at Brightwater called Sandy Walker, Sandy would come to the Pub every day and stay a while. He came in one morning and said Trev your pigs are our out and way down the road, Rosy the mother had 9 weaners and they were around 6 months at this stage, Sandy said he was not going to help me get them in it was all up to me. I went out onto the road and I could see them heading to the bridge towards Stoke way, I let out a long loud whistle one stopped and looked back but the others kept going. I whistled again and I heard a squeal from him and he started to race back....the others stopped on hearing his squeal turned and started to race back. It was the same whistle I use when feeding them beer before cleaning the hoses & Guns. Old Sandy just stood there, he couldn't believe what was happening, the weaners came back and run through the hole in the fence and lined up at the trough waiting for their beer. All I could get out of Sandy was I just don't bloody well believe it. I did go and feed them a bucket of beer and fixed the fence. Old Sandy told everyone that came into the pub what happened. The life of a Bartender!!
When we had the pub at Brightwater, a bloke came in and said to me give me a beer ( I had not long been out of the Army at this stage ) so I poured him an 8oz and said that will be 9pence please, he laughed and said to me I said GIVE me a beer and you did. Well I walked around to the flap and was lifting the flap up to sort this smart bugger out when my Dad came into the bar picking his teeth from lunch, he could see something was not right straight away and asked me what was going on. I told him this smart bugger was not paying for his drink and explained why. Dad said to the man did you say give me a beer to the barman? and the bloke said yes. Dad looked at me and said he is right he said give and you have to give....if he says give me another beer give it to him, but let me know how many he has. Then he left.....Now Old Sandy noticed all the goings on and decided he wanted part of this free action, s Sandy yells out to me Hey Trev GIVE me a beer.... Reluctantly I did. After about an hour Dad comes back and I told him Sandy has done the same thing as this bloke, Dad asked this stranger if he was going to pay for the beers he has had....the reply no way. So Dad says to him in that case here is a bill for your time in my Hotel, it came to 5 Pound. He went off his tree and asked what it was all for, Dad showed him the account and said it is all itemized and will stand up in Court. He paid up angrily and said he was going to Wakefield and would never come back, Dad said if you are going up there take this 10 shilling note and buy the owner a beer from Ron & Eileen at Brightwater Hotel and you have one yourself....this fellow did not know what to make of Dad but took it and away he went. Dad looked at me and asked if anyone else did the same thing I looked at Sandy who had been taking all this in and yelled Trevor you didn't take for my last drinks!! Sandy never pulled a trick on me again and the other fellow came back after a month with a 1 Pound note from the Wakefield Hotel owner Dad shared it with the messenger and he became a very good customer.....with no more tricks I might add.
You know how it used to rain in Otira Richie? well I was standing by the window in the pub with a glass in my hand looking at the rain falling. It came down so darn hard that it bounced about a Meter back up again, a bloke standing next to me said it was the first time he had seen it rain twice. Then he asked me how many inches a year does it fall in Otira? I said go and ask Rolly Parker at the bar, he will be able to tell you as he works for the Hydro. Mr Parker how many inches of rain fall in Otira? Rolly was just about to take a drink and looked at the young fellow and said "INCHES BOY" "INCHES" we don't measure in inches here, we measure in feet. Yearly rainfall for Otira catchment is around 17 feet plus a year, you want inches go and work it out. That was Rolly for you....Remember him Richie?
Trevor Scott I went to the recruiting office of the Army and they sent me to the Dr for the Check up, my Mate Richie went and they told him NO as he had some sort of foot trouble ...yet he walked miles over Hill & Dale with no effects what ever. Now me I was not long out of Hospital...so went to see the Dr, Barry Dallas Knocked on the door and heard COME IN, I still had my hand on the door knob when he said to me from across the room, can you hear me? I said yes, Can you see me? I said yet, then he said your in!! It took me a long time to get my body back to shape and the Army did help even though I was very sore for a long time.
We used to get the Salmon on the spawn by the Mount White Bridge just before Arthurs Pass, there was 4 of us with 22 rifles waist deep in cold water looking for the Salmon with the most shiny body ( stomach ). Then we would put the rifle close to the head and shoot, Salmon just concussed with the blast. pick it up and put into sack. We all had spotlights then, one night while doing this a big spotlight came on us and a voice said I know who you are out there. ( It was the Ranger ) I yelled back no you don't John....with that the big spotlight went out. A month later in the Otira pub a hand grabbed my shoulder, and a voice said you owe me a beer Trevor!! without looking around I said fair enough John. John asked me how many did we get? I told him 9 big ones and we shared it with the Locals in the Otira Village. John replied that he did not mind the locals as they knew what they were doing and shared...what he didn't like was Christchurch people coming up and blowing hell out of everything and leaving them to die.
ContributorTrevor ScottDate of story eventsBetween 1st January 1970 and 31st December 1970Map[1]
Time meant nothing in Otira, I left around 74-75 to Go to Springfield. Remember Ernie Power Viv? we were at his place for a party one night and some one wanted to go to the toilet ( Out House ) BUT you couldn't sit down because it was full!! mentioned it to Ernie and he said he needed a hand to shift it over the new hole he had dug, Ernie in his truck with rope around Toilet and 4 of us at the back pushing ( Pitch Dark) I said to young Brian don't push from the middle of the toilet...but he did! Next came a hell of a yell as the toilet moved off the old hole and was heading to the new hole. Brian went down on one knee as his other leg went into some very old and soft material, right up to the family jewels.
We positioned the Out house over the new hole and went inside to finish drinking, Brian stayed out side the window and we handed the drinks to him. Can't remember how or what time we went home, but I do know Brian was in the shit one way or the other. Great night had by all.
I could get jailed for this......My stint on the railways: We were at Jacksons Yard, and told to dig a hole for the brand new shiny Out house delivered by the carpenters from Greymouth. It was very hard digging and very hot that day, every time we dug we came across some huge rocks. Bill Ryder said he would go home to Inchbonnie and get some dynamite he used on the farm, and blow the hole or we will be there for ever trying to shift the rocks. Bill shot home and he inserted the plugs into a hole we had made, we hid behind the old station house that was there. Bill lit the fuse and joined us, there was a bang and when we had a look the rocks had been blown up but went straight back into the same hole again. Bill said I will fix it next time so shot home and came back with some more big plugs, we rammed 7 plugs down the new hole lite the fuse and we hid. What a hell of a bang, rocks were falling on the roof of the house making a hell of a racket. We ventured out and there was dust every where, looking up we could see old Tom Eden's out side waving a fist at us, It seemed the rocks reached his roof too!! Just then coming through the dust was the IPW Inspector of Permanent Way on his little jigger, he asked me what all the dust was about and all I could say was we just had a willy willy through the yard didn;t you see it?? He asked me what were we doing and I said putting a toilet hole down for the new toilet. He looked around and said where is the toilet....it was no where in sight, I said it has to be delivered yet!! Looking way over into the bush you could just make out a shiny new piece of iron in the trees. When I talked to the Carpenters they said it should be there...I said no!! then the Carpenters blamed the local farmers for pinching it...they delivered a new one a week later. The hole was so big we had to use sleepers to hold back the earth and rocks and back filled behind the sleepers. This is a true story I was there.
Remember the Blackball Centennial where you and the tremors were playing? We started Friday night drinking at the pub, and we were all drinking together until you fellows had to go on and do stint on stage. Then you would all come back to the pub and carry on drinking again until you were called on stage again, this went on all weekend. The publican had cleared all the furniture into the dinning room to make room for more customers, including bedding and mattresses every thing was stacked up in there. Around 3am on the Sunday morning I told you that I would be in the Dinning room having a sleep, about 7am you were coming into the dinning room with Paul looking for me when the publican saw you and asked what were you doing ? you and Paul sad you were looking for your Mate ( Me) he said there will be no one in there but furniture. Paul said are mate said he would be in there so we will look, I was sound asleep under a mattress under a table. The Old Publican couldn't believe his eyes when he saw me, all he said was bugger me. We all left the pub and got a lift home in a VW beetle, coming down the hill ( who ever was driving ) didn't take the corner to well and we ended up in the cemetery. I am not sure if it was you Jim or Paul, but one of you woke up and looked around at all the headstones and said we are dead and went back to sleep.
We had a hell of a job getting out of there but not a head stone was touched .....how we did it I do not Know!!!
Richard Leach Hullo Brian.. Trev and I were going to Reefton for a day run and picked up a middle age hiker in Trev's fathers station wagon . Somewhere outside Ahaura a long downhill run when we were doing 95mile an hour we started to count up until we were doing the big ton when we ran out of hill this poor sod suddenly remembered he had a friend who lived not far away so could we stop and let him out we saw him in Reefton a couple hours later .
14 hrs · Unlike · 1
That day we were standing in the Otira Pub looking out the window toward what used to be the old shop, ( Now Sad Sack & Shirley's home and their 8 kids) there was a long ladder up against the House and Sadsack was on the roof. It took us a while to figure out what he was doing.....and then it all came clear, the kids were carrying the white leghorn chooks up the ladder. Sadsack would take the chooks off the kids and drop them down the chimney, we all started to roar with laughter when after a bit the chooks one by staggered out the front door onto the porch shaking themselves. When they started shaking a black cloud came off their bodies and went every where, the poor chooks didn't have time to get their thoughts straight, when the kids grabbed them and took them back up the ladder again. Sadsack again dropped the chooks down the chimney and again out the front they came staggering and shaking the soot of themselves. A Little while later Sack joined us at the hotel....it appears that Shirley his Wife came back from Greymouth and found the sitting room full of soot...Sadsack in his keenness to get the chimney swept, forgot to put some thing up to block the chooks from entering the sitting room. He thought the kids were bringing up fresh chooks to him......NOT the ones that had already had a spiritual moment of Tunnel itis!!! We said that you have to go home some time Sack, and he reckons it wouldn't be this side of Xmas.
12 hrs · Like
Another one comes to mind when again we were at the pub looking toward Sack & Shirley's place ( We always seem to be at the pub??) Sack had just bought this heavy DE'SOTO car, it was parked out front of the house and the kids were using the water hose to ( What I thought was washing the car) Sack was standing beside me when he let out a hell of yell and started pushing at the window sash to open it...it was stuck fast so Sack gave it an extra hard hit and shove, all the time yelling at his kids at the top of his lungs. Then I realised what all the commotion was about, the young Angels were filling his petrol tank up, as you could see the flap open and water gushing back out .....She was Full. My excited mate got so carried away that with the extra shove, the whole sash fell out onto concrete veranda and smashed the glass. Sack was leaning through the window still yelling and waving his fists at the little Angels.....By this time Sack was yelling at a dust cloud caused by many little feet heading away from Sack, Home and a full tank Car at a great rate of knots!! I think the kids survived the ordeal...That time!!
Your right Carol, Jimmy Ilton & Bill Ryder were like chalk and cheese, you couldn't get two more different people. Old Bill was wide awake to any going ons, the old bugger was cunning...but I liked him a lot. He used to come into our house in Otira just for a visit, ( and I think to tease my wife) one day he came in and sat on the sofa in the sitting room between my wife and I, he was talking away to me and I could see that my wife was getting upset with Bill. She asked him to kindly shut up, in that English accent of hers, as she wanted to listen to Coronation Street. That was all Bill needed for and entrance and proceeded to tell her what he thought of the program, he told my ex that Princes Ann was the only person he knew that could eat an apple through a tennis racket. Where upon my ex asked him to leave Bill said NO I came to talk to Trevor, my ex very indignant by this time said "WELL" I shall ignore you then. Old Bill stayed until the end of the program then said his good bys, he winked at me and left. My ex told me not to invited "THAT MAN AGAIN" But you who knew Bill that was no deterrent!! we saw him again .....me more so because I worked with him.
Again standing at the window of the Pub looking down on Shirley and Sacks home, when Sack was talking to Shirley. We couldn't hear what they were saying but it seems that the DESOTO had a flat battery, and Sack was going to tow the car to get it started. He hooked up the car to his car ready to tow, Now if anyone knows Otira. Coming from the railway yard to go to the pub you had to cross a bridge, also a little foot bridge goes to the Post Office further along. Beside Sack's house and the Post office & Post Office house there is a dusty road which connects to the main road further down, Now between the Race where the bridges and the dusty road are there is a strip of high broom and scrub separating the two. Sack headed off in his car towing the DESOTO and Shirley was suppose to steer the DESOTO, the DESOTO was pointed towards the shrubbery when Sack took off....the towed car headed into the shrubbery...Sack just kept driving. Sacks car dragged the DESOTO around the way Sack was going, DESOTO wheels still in the straight ahead position thus being forced into following Sacks Car....but not on the road!! it followed all the way through the tall Lupin, Broom and Manuka. As you can imagine it was hard towing for Sacks car, and us watching from a good vantage point saw Sacks head protrude from his car window looking back at the DSOTO in the scrub. Sack decided to stop his car and walked back to see what the hell Shirley had done wrong. Well there was a lot of waving arms and jumping up and down and Sacks Face went a bright red colour. ( Good thing we couldn't Hear ) He wrenched open the drivers door reached in and did some thing, slammed the door and stomped back to his car. Once again Sack proceeded to tow the DESOTO, which in turn decided to follow the towing car obediently, coming out of the scrub and following behind the towing car ON the dusty road. We learnt later that there is a little silver switch which locks the steering at the base of the column, NO ONE told poor Shirley about it.....but she sure knows now. FUN and Games had in Otira.
There was 4 of us one night working at Arthur's Pass, the idea of us being there was to make sure the point switches did not clog up with snow, as the blade opened & shut it packed up the snow and then the switch would be kept open and a train coming would head off onto another track. We would pour a little petrol onto the packed snow and it would melt away letting the switch work it's magic again...until it froze up again. There was a little hut beside the yard and that is where we thawed out and had our breaks between trains, well we were sitting there one night and we heard this scrambling noise on the tin roof. We all knew what it was...those pesky Kea's again, one in particular was a very cheeky parrot and would swing down from the top of the door frame upside down and glare at us inside. This little bugger kept it up for a long time and often, we had the door open as the little pot belly stove was red hot and we needed to let out the heat or perish in there. The Kea took off...or we thought he did, the next thing you could here scrambling on the roof. Then a rattle, rattle, rattle down the side of the roof and a clunk when it hit the guttering. The little bugger was prying off the lead head off the nails in the roof, and it was rattling down the side of the roof. My mate Ray said we should catch the bugger, so we laid a trail of bread from the doorstep into the hut just passed the door. Ray hid behind the door ready to shut it the moment the Kea came in, ( they are not a stupid bird) as Kea was eating his way along the bread line he cocked his head to one side and looked at Ray behind the door. He was looking through the gap where the hinges and door met, he hesitated for a while but hunger, greed or curiosity got the better of him, so he carried on into the Hut. At the precise moment Ray slammed shut the door only just shutting off his means of escape, that was when the fun started. That kea ran all around the floor under table and chairs and flew around the little hut, it must have been a little to hot for him as after a while he was out of breath and Ray threw his coat over him. Well let me tell you some thing those fellow can really fight, and it didn't take him long to make hole in Ray's jacket just big enough to stick his head through. We ended up putting a bucket on top of it until we were ready to go home, the trip back to Otira was uneventful and we all went home. Next day at work we asked Ray what he had done with the Kea, he said he had it locked up in his batch and was going to train it!!!! That afternoon after work I went with Ray to his batch to see how the Kea was doing, Ray opened the door and out flew the Kea and it took off heading for the hills. We went inside the Batch and what a mess not only had it chewed through the Chilly bin ( that had a bloody great hole in it ) but it had managed to open all the cupboards and pulled out the drawers, there was flour, jam, butter, milk packets of soup torn to bits and scattered every where. Ray's pillow was in shreds ( Made of Feathers...Probably tried to mate with it ) there was feathers every where, food every where, what I could see nothing was left untouched...Old Kea had done a fantastic job of renovating Ray's Apartment. I won't go into great details as to what Ray said....that type of language has not yet been invented!!
A call went out one day to The Otira Police that a climber had not returned from a hike, I think it was Mt Alexandra or Mt Rolleston !! Any way it was the one that had the basin 3/4 way up the Mountain, locals called it Snowdrop Basin ( for a very good reason ). They wanted some one to go in from the Otira side while another team went in from the Arthur Pass Side to see if they could locate the missing tramper. Well Ray and I set of up the Rolleston River Boulder Hopping most of the way ( Boulder Hopping was jumping from one large stone or rock to another, without touching water or getting wet. They had to be a size big enough to hold your weight, and take the pressure of you jumping on it or your body leaping from it without it moving.) Now Ray used to be a jockey years back, so he was a wiry sort of fellow and very fit and bloody agile. He was springing from one rock to another all the time talking to me, at one particular point he leapt to a rock in the middle of a green cold part of the river with just enough rock exposed above the water for one person to land on. As he leapt to the rock and I saw him land I leapt too, ( now when you leap to a rock you are supposed to take off again immediately, as this gives you the momentum to leap to the next rock ) Not Ray he stayed on the rock and as I came down to land on it ...I thought shit we are going into the drink. ..as I landed I grabbed Ray and wrapped both my arms around him and there we were in the middle of the bloody river on this little rock cuddling each other ( Like a couple of gays in the wrong place at the wrong time ) I said to Ray what the hell did you stop for?? He said to me we should shoot up to Snowdrop Basin and have a Deco up there...and then took off from the rock....The Bastard.... I was bigger than him and I had lost my momentum, I couldn't go back as I had jumped DOWN to this perch so I had to go forward. I spotted a rock just under the surface and leapt to that one then another and I was away again catching Ray up, we crossed over and started the climb to Snowdrop Basin. That was some climb I'm not sure of the height but it seemed a long way up to it, we reached the basin and started to walk along the outer rim to the other side of the basin. We were 1/2 way along when there was the tremendous "BOOM" like a very close clap of thunder, I looked up and saw a fantastic sight of the snow breaking loose on the tops and coming down ( AVALANCHE ) the falling snow hit and outcrop of boulders and cascaded over it like a bridal Vail....it was beautiful to watch. Then Ray jolted me back to reality yelling RUN, Run like hell, that beautiful sight was actually heading straight at us giving us a close up view of its splendour and its travelling rate. Well one look told me to get the hell out of there "fast", we ran like there was no tomorrow. Ray and I and we reached the other side of the basin just in the nick of time, as the outside of the Avalanche swirled and pelted our legs but we were safe. The main body of the Avalanche went over the Basin lip like a great water fall and down the side of the mountain we had just climbed, we sat there for a while and then headed up towards the top. A helicopter flew over head and was circling a spot over on the next peak, I said to Ray we might as well go back I think they found him. When we got back we went straight to the Pub ( As you Do ) we heard that the climber had been found but not alive. It seems he fell over a bluff and they had to winch people down to him to retrieve the body. Mountains are a fantastic and Beautiful sight ......but can also turn nasty on you and become deadly and dangerous. When ever you go for a day walk in the mountains or a long Hike always tell people where you are going, and take along communications, safety first aid and warm clothing. I have seen it far to often....the weather can turn at any time.
We did a search and rescue one day at the request of the Otira Police constable, to go into the Deception area and look two parties of two people (4) people in all. We had to wait at the Deception point by the railway tracks as the river was still running high, anyone who knows the area will understand the rumbling noise coming from the river is that good sized rocks are being rolled along by the flow of the river water and they are hitting each other underwater. We sat on the bank for maybe 1/2 an hour and you could see the river dropping all the time, it drops very fast up there because of the steep gradient of the river and the swiftness of the water. There was Myself, Jock Tuari, Noel Jones and Bill Eden's waiting ready to go, waiting for the rumbling noise to either subside or stop. If you try to go across when the river is rumbling....you will not have much left of your ankles or shins, they will be pulverised and massaged to bits by the rocks.
Eventually we had the all clear from Mother Nature and we went across the Otira river and started to head up the Deception river, when tramping for a cause we do not waste any time we could be needed urgently...so we go at a very fast rate. 3 hours flat out brought us to the open flats along the Deception River we knew that there was a hut just off into the bush there, hitting the flat we spotted one man going into the bush. We yelled and called out...luckily he heard us and saw us waving at him, he called to some one in the bush and out came 6 more people. It seems that the other group linked up with the group we were looking for and decided to stay together ( Good Thinking ) so now we had to bring out 7 people and they were buggered, They looked so tired and I could see we were going to have our work cut out trying to get these people motivated enough to keep going. We told them it was a hard trek back so don't lag behind, we started off every thing went well for a while but after an hour the young girl and her boyfriend had no energy left and couldn't carry their packs. ( I don't know how they lost their energy as they stayed in bed all weekend!!!!! ) Jock carried one pack and Bill carried the other. Then came our first test, we reached a point in the river where we were going to HAVE to swim, Jock said he would jump in and let the river take him to a shingle point in the river about 200m down. He would be able to catch them as they came up to him and help them to safety, I told the group to watch what Jock does and to do as he does when their turn comes up. Bill said there was a fizzer in the cliff 1/2 way down the river, he would go into that and as they come past grab them and pull them into the side closer to the bank that would make it easier for Jock to catch them. In Jumped Bill and away he went, I explained that they were to make sure their packs were water tight as possible and tied tightly around them. The wave action of the river will, as you saw with Jock and Bill keep you afloat. As the waves come up under the pack and push you up higher you must keep your feet up and ahead of you, do that and you will have no trouble at all. Up came the first person, no problem at all jumped in and did exactly as we instructed him to do, he sailed past Billy and Jock waded out and caught him and pulled him ashore. Every thing went well until the last person he was the one that spent the whole week end in bed with his girlfriend!!!! he wouldn't go in so I said to him it is not deep see you can see the bottom ( You couldn't because of the recent rain fall ) He looked over the bank into the river I gave him a little shove.....in he went and away he went, I saw Billy try and catch him as he was going out to far, Billy went after him and helped Jock to bring him to safety. I jumped in and went sailing past the group and around the corner... What a ride it was great I must have gone a couple hundred yards or more until I found an area to get out. Didn't take Jock and the group to catch up to me and we carried on. Every thing was going great until we came to a sandy bank beside the river, by this time the little red headed girl could go no further ( very Pretty little Thing ) she flopped down on the sand and said she could not go on and that she was staying there. Jock told me he would carry on with the main group and keep them going and warm, I said I will catch him up soon, Noel Jones and Billy Eden was with me and I said to the girl are you going to move? she replied NO. I explained to her that we were not equipped to spend the night out here and that we had no way of lighting a fire, She still said "NO" I am staying here. I looked at her lying there with her little shorts and lovely legs and thought we had to get her out of here now before hypothermia set in, I said to her we do not have a way to light a fire so the only way I can keep you warm is by friction. Friction what do you mean? I said we would have to make love until the morning just to keep warm. That was when Noel said to me I will catch Jock up and give him a hand, I said good idea...Bill was still standing there with a grin on his face and waiting to see how I was going to handle the situation. I turned to the young girl and started to undo my belt and said we may as well start now so I can keep you warm, then I undid the zip...That was when Bill said, I will go and help Jock and Noel, and away he went....that left just the two of us. By this time the young red head had a shocked look on her face and could see that I meant business, I pulled the zip all the way down......and that was when it happened. She got up off the sand and took off running, I caught up with the group and asked Jock if had seen the red Head? he said yea she went past us like a bloody rocket....what did you say to her? By this time we were only an hour from the road and the group were moving along quite well. We got them across the river to the waiting MOW Van and the Police 4 wheeled drive, the red head was pointing to me and saying that's the man there, that's him. I was taken to one side and the cop said to Bloody hell Trevor can you be a bit more diplomatic in future?? I looked at him and said well she's here isn't she??
Back at the pub we were all having a beer when the red head came down and thanked us for getting them out of there and shouted us all a beer, then she looked at me and said would you have gone ahead and done it?????? I smiled at her and said..I guess we will never know will we??
I came in late one night 12am just finished a patrol of the line, put the jigger away and headed to the pub ( As you do ) I was really thirsty. Took my raincoat off and hung it up on the hooks on the veranda and walked into the bar, just about every one was there drinking and carrying on. I walked up to the bar and asked Old Snow McKenzie for a beer ( I only drank 5oz beers...wanted to cut back ) Snow placed a glass on the bar and was just about to put the gun nozzle into the glass and pour....when Bill Roberts came up to me and in a loud voice told me he would love to screw my wife. The whole pub went very quiet, I looked at Snow and he was still poised over the glass with the beer gun but hadn't started to fill it, I was leaning on the bar both my hands on the counter, my first thought was to drop this idiot. Then I started to think....Trev if you hit this Idiot, Snow is going to close the bar and you won't get a drink at all. Diplomacy Trev Diplomacy, ( which I am not very good at first thought I felt was the best one....drop the bastard ) With out taking my hands off the counter, I looked at Bill and said, I hope to God she has more sense than to go with a loser like you!! Bill just looked at me muttered some thing and left, I looked at Snow and said fill her up Snow, Snow smiled and said on me Trev and poured out the beer. I said Snow....if I had of smacked him one would you have closed the bar, Snow said yes Trev every out and home, want no fuss or bother. So being a good boy I had a free beer.
We had a new Police man come to Otira ( Can't remember his name ) But he was hell bent on cleaning Otira up....stop all this after hour drinking and such, only a young fellow, I personally think placed in Otira so we could train him for the Police Department. Well he started off on the wrong foot by closing the bar at 6pm, so all those working in Otira on stand in for others that went on leave ( Relief workers ) even tho they were in rental batches or stayed with friends....all booked into the hotel and then asked all friends to come and drink with them. The same Police man asked me and Jock to accompany him to the Taipo River a hunter had damaged his shoulder, so away we went. As we were driving up the track to go down into the river bed area he spotted a huge stag in a paddock not far from the farm house, the stag was sporting a very impressive wrack I think at the very least 18 points. I told him that Mary had brought that stage up since a fawn..its mother was shot so Mary saved the fawn and looked after it ever since. Then he started going on about noxious animals being kept and did she have a permit, well we arrived at the entrance to the river bed only to find a pole across the drive and padlocked. That was the last straw for this legal minded law officer, he took off around the house with thoughts of chastising Mary about flaunting the law. I said to Jock he is in for a hell of a shock ....Mary might 90 years old + but she is definitely no pussy to mess with. We sat quietly and heard a plane land down on the Taipo River flats and then a few minuted later take off again, Jock said it sounds like he was picked up and taken out....I said yea sounds like it. With that, coming around the side of the house backwards with both arms in the air, was are fearless protector of the law. Looking a bit sheepish as Mary had a double barreled shot gun pointed right at his chest and she was giving him what for about her pet stag....apparently the Stag was of more use than our fearless protector of the right....we had to agree with her there. Mary said to me Trevor if you bring that Bastard back her again I will shoot him, and you for bringing him!! We were still made to go and look for the wounded hunter even though we told the Cop about the plane, he stayed with the vehicle while Jock and I went to have a look see. No hunter but he did leave a note in the book that he had radioed his wife to send in some to pick him up...and that was the plane. You never know you must always carry reliable communication with you when tramping.
Footnote for that last story......I left to go to Springfield to work but came back 6 months later and straight up to the pub ( As you Do ) when I walked in a few of my old mates came and said giday to me and looking behind the bar who should I see but our old fearless leader serving behind the bar, he saw me looking and said straight away don't you say anything Trevor!!! he knew what I was thinking...I told him a long time ago he would not be able to tame the place or the people. Instead I said to him that he made a smart move at least he could stop any trouble before it started working behind the bar, he grinned and said thanks Trevor. It is all very well jumping into a new job or territory with both feet that way you get every ones back up and against you, just test the water first before making a big splash.....do not make sudden changes.....just little subtle ones. My thoughts only!!
Just a short one Brian. We were at the Pub, (Terminus Hotel Otira) having a few drinks playing pool and darts and enjoying ourselves. I was starting to get a bit hungry and deciding to head for home when Rolly Parker came in, he had a little plate of cooked mince he had made ready for his lodgers Tea. There were 3 lodgers up from Christchurch staying at Rolly's place, they always stay with Rolly when they come up to work in the area...they also know how to knock back a few ales as well. Well Rolly brought up the plate of mince so he could persuade the Lodgers to come home for Tea, as it was all ready. Instead the Lodgers enticed Rolly to stay and have a drink, which he did, the Lodgers weren't interested in eating the mince so I asked Rolly if I could eat it. The mince was very well cooked with a slight hint of curry and other spices not over powering but very tasty in a thick gravy, I asked Rolly is there any more of this mince?? Rolly told me that there was a preserving pot ½ full of mince at his place ready for these guests of his, If he could tear them away from the pub. I left to go home about an hour later and decided to go via Rolly's place just to sample his mince, this day and age no one locked their door so it was just a matter of turning the knob and walking in, I did leave the door open a little. There were cats every where..I think Rolly had about 20 cats he would look after and feed. The pot was on the stove and it had not been long off the heat, so I got a spoon and started to taste the mince. Time meant nothing to me as I chewed through the mince, it was fantastic and very Moorish. Then suddenly I notice this shining thing in the mince...yep it was the bottom of the pot, I had enjoyed the mince so much that I got carried away and ate the whole lot. I left Rolly's place and headed home, climbed into bed and went straight to sleep. Next day feeling a little seedy I did not remember eating at Rolly's place, so forgot all about it until a month later. Sitting on a bar stool in the pub talking to Rolly some one said to Rolly...I hear you got rid of a load of cats couple of weeks back, Rolly replied “YEP” only have one cat left now, came back from the pub and the buggers had cleaned up a pot of mince, pot was on its side and licked clean. Got rid of the buggers for good.
I sat very quiet put my face in my drink and said nothing....some times it pays to just let things take their course!!
When we in the Search and Rescue, Hunting or Tramping we use to wear little ankle lace up gumboots made by Ansford, we modified them a little by placing the pony shoes on the heel of the boot. Using the horse shoe nails we placed the shoe on the heel and drove the nail into the heel of the boot through the slots in the steel shoe, the point of the nail came out the side of the boot heel just before where the upper starts ( still in the heel part of the rubber). The nail is square so it will fit into the square slots on the shoe, we drive the nail in as hard as we can, and when the point is protruding out of the heel we bend it over and cut off the pointed part. This done we hammer the cut end in against the heel rubber forming a sort of anchor and securing the heel plate to the boot,
the nail head sticks out of the heel plate by approx 5 – 8mm, this gives good grip on ice and snow.
Even on wet and slippery clay banks or Grey wacky you have a reasonable grip on life!!
A trip up to the hut on Kelly's Range one afternoon put this to the test, 4 of us from Otira set out to work on the Translator hut at the very top of Kelly's staying over night in the hut. On the way up we came across Peter Croft ( Ranger )and some young ones from Arthur's Pass, working there way across an area we call the chute or slide. Now if you can imagine a chute or slide 40 feet wide and approx 70' -80' long!! This chute is hollowed out like a big slide over years of wear and tear from the amount of snow that goes down it, when wet or really cold it is very Iced up and very hard to cross, the chute is also on quite a steep angle and when the snow slides over the side it will drop for about 2 to 300' Nothing to stop it. Well we came across Peter and his school of young ones, we watched and Peter had them all roped together and they were making there way across the chute, Crampons, Ice Picks the works. Chip Chip with ice pick place crampon boot in chip step, and then chip chip again and put boot into chip step. I could see us there all day as there was about 6 of them to get across, Jock Tuari said okay lets go and with that he ran up hill from Peter and his crew, running on his heels. I followed straight after Jock running flat out on my heels the nail heads digging deep into the ice, at a point ¾ of the way across we both took the weight off the heels and onto the balls of our feet and used the heels as brakes and steering. This brought us to the other side of the chute and onto the track again, we heard Peter yell out you mad pack of Bastards. We went up to the translator another ¾ hour run, fixed it and back down to the hut. As we arrived at the hut Peter and his crew were just coming into sight, every one wanted to see our boots and they way we had modified them.
The local boys claimed all the bottom bunks and newbies were all in the top bunks, ( they found out in the morning why we all claimed the lower bunks ) Jock Tuari was the cook for the evening and Jock Graham was the cook for the breakfast. We woke up to an aroma of porridge which smelled dam good to me, Jock Graham called out are you all ready bonnie lads. Then he started to dish it up...Bloody hell man!! the porridge was only half cooked, cooked and burnt, and to rub it in to us he had thrown all the left overs from the evening meal also into the same pot. Jock Graham “NEVER” cooked again for us. When I first started to climb Kelly's Range, from the road to the very top it would take me 3hours 15min. After 7 years of climbing all over Otira just before I left I ran to the top of Kelly's Range in 55 min and down again to the road in 20min......In those days I was so darn fit I could meet myself coming back, a little different now.
I think we would average about one trip a week up Kelly's Range, just to check on, or fix that dam Translator. This particular time we went up to the Translator we had Ken Meads with us, (a short ginger headed fellow) but he wanted to try and get to the top with us “JUST ONCE” to say he had done it. It was a slow and steady climb no need to hurry as we had a new recruit with us, we were doing okay until we got to the Chute or Slide. Jock Tuari ran across on his heels ( wearing the special Boots we made) to the other side of the chute ready to catch Ken when he ran across... Ken only had his work boots with toe and heel plates. In the chute it still had ice and snow as we were still in the Winter months, it was cold enough that the ice had made the snow a little harder than the soft powdery stuff. We told Ken to go like the wind and angle up hill slightly so he should come to where Jock was waiting to catch him, away went Ken like all hell was behind him...going like the clappers down one side across the bottom of the chute angling up slightly and starting up the other side of the chute. Then it happened, Ken's right side boot slipped and struck his left foot making him loose balance, he sat down in the middle of the chute and started to slide on the ice. He managed to get his feet out in front of him and that helped to slow him down as it built up and packed the snow ahead of his feet. The chute narrows a lot just before you go over the lip of the chute and there are some short shrubs on each side, Jock went down one side and I the other side just before the drop. Ken was coming down slowly but steadily towards the drop...now I know what they mean about eyes as big as saucers!! Kens were enormous and his mouth was wide open but no sound was coming from it, we told Ken to be perfectly still and not to move around...(wasted advice), poor Ken was frozen solid with fear. By this time Ken had his legs forced open by the pressure of the snow, and it was now building up around his crutch area and his inside thighs, but still moving toward the edge. Ken was doing as we said, he was NOT moving a mussel, by now his boots were just at the edge of the chute and we were scrambling like mad to reach him. Jock yelled for Ken to outstretch his arms from his side and keep them at shoulder level. Jocks yelling instructions broke through the fog of fear and Ken did as he was told, now his boots were over the edge and still moving slowly forward. The packed snow dropping away out of sight every minute as Ken's body was pushing it ahead of him, I made one desperate grab and managed to grab hold of his hands and holt the decent into nothingness. I was gripping this poor little shrub and leaning as far out into the chute as was possible while holding Ken, I said to Jock get back here mate and help me pull him in....While Jock came across the chute again and down to where we were, I said to Ken do not move, don't even fart or it will blow you over the side and “DON'T” piss yourself, the warm water will melt the bloody snow holding you up. Jock came around and we managed to pull Ken to safety, I have never seen a bloke hug tera- firma like Ken did when he woke up to the fact he was safe. He started shaking so much that he couldn't roll his smokes, we gave him some tailor made ones and he broke 3 of them before he could control himself enough to drag it to death after we lit it for him. It was a slow trip back down the Mountain and when we hit the road it was a fast hike back to....(you guessed it )...The Pub. By this time Old Ken had settled down and was back to his usual self again...You know.... Ken NEVER went up the mountain again ...any mountain!!!
In the Old Pub there was an Oregon Post holding the next floor up, it was right in the middle of the Bar area …not a great place for a pole, but there you have it.
Now after a few beverages, it seems to call the strong and the mighty to see who has the strongest set of teeth, and bite a hunk out of said post. Many have tried but it is a strong post, I think Bill Eden took a sliver from it and I have taken only a small sliver from it. You never do it when the owner Snow is around ( he has no sense of humour in that respect ) Well it was about a week later that Snow discovered that there was slivers missing from his post, he went right of his trolley did our Snow. He was demanding us to tell him who did it, or he would close the bar and send us home.
We had to think fast, so I stepped forward and was going to tell him it was me when Bill Eden said it was Colin Snow, I watched him do it. Snow looked around the bar and Colin wasn't there that night, so Snow made a mental note to tackle Colin next time he came in the Bar. A week later we were all in the Bar and Snow was asking if anyone had seen Colin....when the bar door opened and in walked Colin. Snow never gave Colin a chance to get to the Bar....let alone order a drink, when Snow got stuck into Colin he just stood there like a stunned mullet. Snow gave him what for and then said why did you do it?? Colin opened his mouth to speak and every one burst out laughing, Snow took one look and realised that it couldn't have been Colin as he has NO TEETH at all, just gums. Old Snow went as red as a beetroot and shouted Colin a drink as an apology, the he glared at all of us and said you all bloody well knew didn't you...you pack of Bastards.
It took a day or two but he forgave us....after all we were his bread & Butter.
Young Brian, Yes he is the same Brian that helped to shift a long drop and ended up in the old hole.
We were up in the Otira Pub ( as we all seem to do ) having a good time lots of banter and cheeky comments when Old Snow dropped the clanger that he was closing the bar and having an early night, this was about 9.30pm!! Brian said lets all go to my place and have a few drinks, so we all trekked down to Brian's place. As we got to the back door Brian was going shhhhhh with finger to lips, don't make too much noise as the wife will be in bed. Well I thought that was going to be tough as some of the boys with us, couldn't care less one way or the other...they just wanted a good time and a place to drink. We all entered the kitchen -dinning room where the old coal range was still going ( They were a fantastic invention the Coal range, especially as they were a wet back as well ) Here we all were nice and cosy drinking away and laughing, at one stage we heard the bedroom door being slammed shut but we carried on anyway oblivious to the anger welling up in the Bedroom. At some point some one said what have you got to eat Brian? By now we were starting to feel a little peckish. Brian produced a large pot and put a dozen eggs in it topped up with water and put on the stove, then brought out the bread and butter...the eggs were a little way off being ready so we carried on drinking. I am not sure how long it was...maybe 20 min when there was this load bang, I was sitting at the table next to the window when some thing went past me at a great rate of Knots...hit the window and slid down the window falling on the table. It was an unborn chick!!! at the same time as I had my meal delivered by airmail to me, so did every one else get a similar experience. There was these unborn chicks going in all directions...and some were not chicks these had a rare smell to them ( Rotten eggs ). One chick landed on top of the half open door to the kitchen... body on one side neck and head on the other, what a bloody shambles and none of them had a feather between them. It looked for all the world like a Barn Yard Massacre blood and guts every where. I asked Brian...where the hell did you get these bloody eggs from?? his reply summed it all up for us...From my mates place on the farm, I found them under a hedge and brought them home. You dipstick that was a sitting nest, some chook is looking for those eggs to sit on, didn't you check the eggs first???? “NO” Then he started to laugh.... he thought it was a great joke. The stove would have to have a very good cleaning as the residue spilled onto the hot plate making one hell of a stink, rotten eggs and half cooked chicks.
Well with all the commotion and goings on it did not take Brian's wife long to appear on the scene, the door from the kitchen to the bedrooms and front sitting room was flung open, and there stood Brian's wife in all her radiant beauty. She opened her mouth to say some thing and ( I don't think it was to welcome us ) Gagged, she had her hands over her mouth and nose and when she finally got the courage to speak.....it was not nice!! I didn't think a woman could lay her tongue to so any words without stopping for breath!! Mind you....you wouldn't want to take a deep breath at this time. Finally we got the message to go home, I looked at the clock and said I'm off Brian see you at work in 6 ½ hours. Brian didn't turn up for work that day, it seems he had a lot of cleaning up to do as his wife couldn't stomach the stench. She took the morning railcar to Greymouth to visit with her Mother and caught the evening one back to Otira. Brian had the place spic and span by the time she had arrived home. ....If you have eggs from a farm please put them one by one into container of water and watch the outcome. If they stay on the bottom of the container they are okay to eat, if one end starts to rise ...even just a little, discard it, if it floats to the top....don't even bother going there.... that is not a lite egg for dieting people.
When you are young and single the world is your oyster, I never had a care in the world I always dealt with whatever was tossed at me one way or the other. I have been too and lived in Otira 3 times the first time was in 19556, I went to the Otira School then we left around 1957 early and moved to Greymouth. I came back again in1964-5 and lived in the single men's hut behind the loco shed, my hut was beside the old unused track and Tom Nepia was just opposite me. Behind Tom was a race that used to take the spillage of water from the reservoir, this used to supply all the water to the Otira township and Railways, including the steam engines. The water from that reservoir came from goat hill and there was a Kahikatea wooden race which collected and guided the water to the reservoir, that water was ice cold and so fresh to drink clean and clear. Now behind Toms hut and in the old concrete race were these little Rainbow trout...look like little herrings, every time I had a cook up I would put the empty plate in the Race and those little fish would come and clean it off. Great I didn't have to do any washing, I would come home from the pub cook chops and eggs and go to bed. In the morning on the way to work put the plates into the race...at one stage I had 8 plates in the race ( None in the Hut ) so I would go lift out the first plate I put in warm it up over the stove and when finished eating put the plate behind the last one in the race. Automatic dish washers...they seem to know when I am putting in a fresh plate because they are there waiting. This worked well for a time, being Otira it as a tendency to rain,...(Rolly has already stated that it rains 17 feet a year in Otira) Well it sure did rain and all that water has to go some where, YEP down the race and when it went down there it took all the loose gravel with it and cleaned out the race perfectly, Including my 8 plates....not a plate to be seen. I had to go and see Tom Nepia and borrow a plate for the night, Tom was still in bed and had the blankets pulled up under his chin...but his feet were uncovered!! I asked to borrow a plate and got the okay from Tom, then I said your feet are uncovered you want me to tuck your feet in? There was a definite “NO” from Tom so I asked why not, and he tells me that he must have his feet uncovered while sleeping because if anything happens to him during the night his soul can leave through his feet. Can't argue with that.
I had to buy some new plates eventually and gave them away when I left. I returned again in 1968-9 this time with a wife and young son, stayed 7 years this time, in that time Jason was born in Otira.
Time and tide wait for no man or woman!!
Otira
Even today, with time and distance behind me, I think of the Mountains surrounding Otira and the township itself and the carry on's in and around the area.
Some people who read this I feel, will be able to understand what I am saying and probably it has happened to them at some stage in life. Or could Happen.
With all the pressure of work, Married life, kids, money and every thing else building up over time...you get to the point where you feel like exploding. Well this was happening to me, sure drinking was one way out, but if it is money troubles worrying you then that is not the solution. You could not find specialist help, as you are up in the Mountains not in a City. What I did, ( and it helped me a hell of a lot ) was when I felt all pent up inside, for one reason or another. I would take a bloody hard run at the Mountain, I would go at it hammer and tongs.....heading right to the very top!!
Some times I would have to take a very short break to try and get my 2nd wind back, then give it another go. ( It does pay to have a sound heart for this sort of treatment other wise you won't have any problems at all...ever!! ) The day I ran up to the top of Kelly's Range I did not stop, even though the body felt like exploding ...I just kept going until I reached the VERY top. I stood there looking towards Otira then turning and looking down the valley towards Jacksons, turning South I could see the Ranges stretching towards Mt Cook.....a very clear day and warm. I sat down and looked at the miniature Alpine forest at my feet, small tiny prickly trees with little red berries on them no higher than about 3'' high. Millions of very small butterflies of different colours, Golden, dusky blue, grey, feeding of young Alpine plants flowers. I had this over whelming thought of Gulliver Travels looking into Little people Land, I lay on the ground and looked up into the clouds racing across the sky. It was so quiet and warm up there, except for the odd call of the Kea, and way off down on the Mountain slopes, as the bush starts you can hear the Bellbirds calling. Every thing was at peace with the world up there, I may have dozed or went into a peaceful trance...not sure but while I was lying there I could actually feel all the pent up fury, hurt, pain, disappointment and stress start to leave my body. It was a fantastic feeling, no one near me, I was completely on my own. I was there for around 4 hours ( Healing ) nothing to upset me no noise, no arguing....It was bloody fantastic. I did see the red Railcar way down in the valley heading up to Otira, it looked about 4 inches long from the Tops. I eventually and reluctantly picked myself up, and with a sigh started to walk slowly down to the hut area on the flat. It took me a good 2 hours to walk to the road where the car was...but I was in no hurry, it felt like I was going through a cleansing period up on the Tops and on the walk down. I felt really great so into the car and ….( you Guest it ) went to the pub ( well I had lost a lot of body fluid you know ) As soon as I pulled the car up outside the pub, I could here the noise from within....so I said to myself....Back to reality Trev. I did that at least 3 more time in 7 years, and found it very therapeutic....don't do it when raining or in Winter, ( Soul destroying!!!)
My old mate Ray Frazer, I liked the old Bugger, he was a lot older than me around the 47 year mark me I was about 23 or 24 when I cottoned on to the old fellow. Ex Jocky full of life and walked and acted like there was no tomorrow, every thing he did was at high speed...none of this slow crap for Ray. Talking or walking it was always one speed, but honest and a hard worker you would be hard put to find any one better....and he says what he feels. Ray asked me if I would come into the Deception area with him to help bring out his Possum traps and go around his baits, he wanted to clear the baits and bring out all his traps ready for another run some where else. Well we took off and at the usual fast pace …dam near had sparks coming off our boots he was going that fast, What's the hurry Ray? I asked....Gotta get those baits and traps put away ASAP. Well we walked up one side of the bloody mountain and down the other side all the while clearing the Cyanide baits, the Traps were easier as they were along the river banks and only went into the bush area about 100m. That evening we came down to the Deception hut set just off the flats, back into the bush about 30 feet slightly hidden...but a visible track to the hut. There we intended to stay for a couple of nights while we cleared Ray's Poison and trap lines ( I didn't know it at the time but the old bugger had 80 lines out running from river area up to bush and tussock line ) Dam near killed me all that clambering around and carrying the traps out....he was like a spring chicken and still ready to go.
Well we went up to the hut and there was a lot of clothing and packs out side, a make shift cloths line with wet cloths on it, and a lot of noise coming from the Hut and smoke from the old iron chimney. Old Ray didn't say a word dropped his pack by the hut and opened the door and went in, there was 4 guys in there playing cards, smoking, talking and laughing. They all shut up when we went in...they thought we were their bosses come to check up on them, once the surprise was over Ray said what are you bloody lot doing here? Their reply was that they were on a survey, trapping and counting the possums in the area ready for an Ariel Drop of 1080 carrots. They had been in there 4 days trapping possums, Ray said how many have you trapped? and where are they? as he would take the skins off them. They had 4 possums in a 4 day period, but only set the traps 100m from the hut in a semi circle. They were choppered in and when ready would be choppered out, they told us that they multiply the 4 possums by the area of the valley, and that gives a total of about how many possums are in that target area. Ray told them in no uncertain tones that they were talking a load of shit, he pointed out that there were 80 lines he maintains and we have only got 10 possums!! That was why he was pulling out his traps, the area had been over worked and bugger all left here. You useless buggers sit there and play card and eat and only have 4 possums!!!!! now you are going to bomb the area with bloody poison because of some magic figures you have worked up, get your asses out there and do the job properly...I can tell you, you are wasting money because the area has been over trapped. I just shut up, and stood there while Ray tore into these young fellows. Ray was in full throttle and he let them know what he thought of them and their Bosses and Job. I didn't actually write what Ray said, as I didn't want the paper to burn while I was writing it....needless to say they got the message loud and clear. Next morning chopper came and picked them up, we went back to the hut around 3 pm as it gets late early in there.....and behold a heap of goodies was left for us to eat and drink.
I worked on the crusher in Otira, Herb Vrobliski was the manager and the owner was Dave Pearson from Hokitika, we were crushing river rock into ballast for the railways on a contract basis. The old trucks we were driving had seen better days, one day we went down to the river bed ( just before the climb up the Otira Gorge ) and loaded up the trucks ready for the next day. Herb said leave your truck there and come back in mine, ( as he was also loader driver as well ) so we left my truck on the river bank loaded for the morning, I told Herb I was not happy about leaving it there full loaded over night. That night it was bloody cold ( very unusual for Otira ) and of course every thing frozen, we had a hell of a time swinging on the belts to get the conveyor belts moving. It was after 9am before we could start to crush rock and even then it was iffy, every thing was wet or frozen. Herb gave me a lift down to the river bed to pick up my loaded truck while he used the loader to load his truck, the place was pure white and still frozen, 11am the sun hits the floor of the valley and it's gone by 1pm. Well I was told to take the truck back to unload into the crusher bin and get back here for another load, I was not very happy about the truck being left out all night FULL, with a wet load. I mentioned this to Herb, who told me to do as I was told!! So being the dutiful lad I was....after checking water oil etc...I climbed up into the cab and started the engine, it took a bit but finally caught and started to run smoothly. I put it into gear and eased off the clutch...there was a load BANG and I didn't move and inch, the bloody axle had broken...it was frozen solid. Well things got a little personal after Herb came up to see why I was not moving, and I told him the truck should not have been left on the river bed fully loaded. I told him that night...but I am only a boy and he was the Boss and don't I forget it!!!! With a hell of a lot of muttering and carry-on we managed to jack the truck up and draw out the axle, it was a neat break very clean. So Herb said he was going to weld it back up and then bring the truck in for a proper fit, I did say to him would it not be better to drop the load of rock we have on there by taking the strain off the welded axle. It appears that I still don't know my place!! as that was the wrong thing to say. Herb and I put the axle back in after a load of language and being told how useless I was, when finally completed Herb said he would drive and show me how it was done. ( now don't get me wrong here, but if you weld two pieces together and the grind the excess weld of to make it smooth How Much weld is actually holding the pieces together??? ) Well you guessed right, when Herb went to take off there was this big BANG again only not as loud as the first one. Now I reckon if you could get a truck running by swearing...Old Herb would have had a fleet running for a year, it's amazing the vocabulary that can come from some one when they are pissed off. Needless to say it was a quiet evening at Herbs place (That was where I was Boarding when working the crusher) Not long after that my papers came to go into the Army......another story.
We had our moments working on the Railway in Otira, There was one of many particular spots where we used to see the Rainbow Trout. This one was a large culvert with a little bridge over it, coming up on the jigger we would sit in the middle of the culvert and look over the side into the clear mountain stream. There just below the surface was quite a large Rainbow Trout just sitting facing the light currant of the stream, we watched it for a while and then decided to go up to Kelly's Creek hut and get some Carbide flares (Carbide Flares were used at night at danger points, slips or derailments) a Carbide Flare was a long cylinder type with two small holes at the Top and one larger hole at the bottom it comes with its own water container. You take the tape off the two holes at the Top and remove the tape from the two holes, place the one hole end down into the water container. The water will enter the larger hole and mix with the Carbide creating a gas, this gas escapes from the two holes at the top, there you light the escaping gas and that creates a very strong light that burns for a long time.
Kelly's Creek Hut had some flares there so we thought we would come again tomorrow and bring some AG jars (we used for pickling with a screw top) and make a home made bomb for the Trout. We raided our wives pantry for the empty jars and took them to work ( We had 6 jars in all ) At the bottom of the jar you put in some Carbide powder that you had cut from a canister and cover with small chips of stones to the top, we did this with all 6 jars ( do not put a lot of Carbide powder in ). Now down to the Trout bridge and yes there he is just sitting there waiting for us, carefully unscrew the lid and your mate is standing by to put a few drops of water in the jar. Once the water enters the jar....it is all go from there, as fast as you can you screw on the lid and throw the jar up stream, the jar hits the water and starts to sink as it is coming down towards the Trout. Then the pressure builds up and the jar explodes sending glass and stone every where under water, after the commotion and the stream cleared, there was no Trout to be seen!! We tried the same trick many times over a few weeks but could not catch or kill this bloody Trout, we were very lucky not to lose a hand or an eye in all this carry on. Then one day Bill said he would get some sticks from his Farm in Inchbonnie, and we will blow the bugger out of the water. Next day Bill arrived and we went down to the Culvert and there he was again swimming gently against the stream, Bill lit a fuse on a small stick of jell and tossed it up stream. The jelly floated on past where we wanted it to go off and went off about 20 m down stream past us, that was no good so we thought we could tie a stick to a bed-plate and just drop over the side. Now old Bill was by now taking this dam trout thing to heart, no dam fish is going to get the better of me. With that Bill tied two sticks together lit the fuse and dropped it slightly up from where the Trout should be, ( Personally Speaking I thought the Trout had long gone ) well that bed plate came down just right where the Trout used to be right beside the bridge support post. ( I think that Trout had more brains than us it got to hell out of there ) Well the three of us sitting on the jigger looked over the side to watch the bed-plate as it nestled beside the Support, then there was this huge wave of water came up from the depths and completely covered us we were drenched. (No noise as such but one hell of a lot of water) I looked at these two guys and said that's it no more were going home, I started the jigger up and started to go off the end of the culvert when I noticed that the bridge end had moved slightly causing a sharp angle onto the track itself. Shit the explosion had shifted the little bridge about 4” out of line, I got onto the track phone and asked Train Control to stop 740 train at Inchbonnie from leaving the yard, as there had been a little jolt from an earth Quake and we want to check the line. We waited a while and then contacted the Track gang in Otira, I told them what I had told Train Control...they came down and relined the track with the men and bars and every thing was safe again. Three people were very quiet for a long time....and as far as I know, that dam Trout is still out there laughing at us.
My old mate Ray,
A Saturday afternoon, and I arrived at the Pub just for a quiet one before heading home....I don't know why there was nothing to do at home anyway. Playing a bit of pool and talking to other people about any...and every thing, when the door opened up and in come Ray. All dressed up and looking like a young rich man (sober) sat down at the bar and ordered a drink. After a while about 2 hrs Ray decided to give Sam the Bar manager & Owner a bit of a hard time, now Sam and his family come from England, now that in itself gave way for a ridicule session. Sam also came from London and his accent was true Cockney, that made it more interesting for our mate Ray. He just couldn't help it, our Ray started to open up on Sam. Now side-on you would have thought that Sam was actually Alfred Hitchcock, they were so much alike in every way. Well anyway Ray started to bait Sam about being a Pom, old Sam just took it and carried on serving behind the bar. Then Sam must have had enough (because it did go on for a long time) he looked at Ray and said you a Kiwi Ray? And walked away serving customers, Ray was saying..Yep..Yep I'm a Kiwi Sam and proud of it. Sam still serving came past Ray and as he went past Sam said...Kiwis got no wings Ray is that right??...and carried on serving. Ray yep, yep, that's right Sam no wings Mate, yep no wings. Sam came wondering back putting empty glasses under the counter ready to wash, looked at Ray and said Kiwi can't fly then can they Ray? Ray...no Sam Kiwi can't fly, that's right mate. By this time a lot of us were wondering what was going on, (I had an idea some thing was cooking with Sam, but not sure as to what) Sam came back again and said to Ray and do you know why it can't fly Ray?? Old Ray didn't stop to think (Fuzzy Brain) said straight away NO Sam I don't know why it can't fly you tell me!! We all held our breath and knew some thing was coming...except Ray, Then old Sam stopped in front of Ray and said to his face the reason a Kiwi can't fly is because it is to full of shit to get off the ground. Every one burst out laughing they knew old Sam was up to some thing, Ray took it....and laughed, and said you old bugger you got me there a beaut. Old Sam shouted Ray a beer for being a good sport and from that day on Ray gave old Sam a lot of respect.
The evening went well....as always does in Otira.
We did a Search & Rescue trip into Mary Creek that runs into the Taipo river, it seems a young fellow had not returned from a week end trip into that area. It had We did a Search & Rescue trip into Mary Creek that runs into the Taipo river, it seems a young fellow had not returned from a week end trip into that area. It had been raining ( like only Otira could rain ) and rivers were running high....quite High, we organized a party of about 6 of us to go in and look for the young fellow. I thing he was about 17 or 18, It seems that he came from Christchurch and was going on a special camp called Outward Bound in 2 weeks time, so he wanted to get some tramping time in, so he would be fit for the Camp. Apparently he had asked some of his mates to come with him, but they all declined for one reason or another so he came on his own. ( NEVER TRAMP ALONE ) With the weather the way it was it would have been better for him to stay at home and maybe go to a JIM, well we were called in to look for him and the rain had eased up but not stopped. We went up and down Mary creek, and in some places you could see where the debris was in the trees high up from the Creek bed.....it must have been a torrent running down that creek in the Gorge, we were up to our necks in some places feeling under huge boulders with our feet to see if we could feel any thing soft, trapped or stuck under there. We worked our way down the Creek and spotted some boot marks on a mossy rock with sand on the moss, then it started to rain and boy I mean rain....you could after 30 minutes, start to see the creek raising up higher and higher. We had to pack it in and get to hell out of there or get trapped, we waited another 4 days before we could go in again. The sister of this young fellow was at the Otira Hotel waiting for word from us, she asked me if there was any hope? I replied that there was always hope....but I did not feel in myself that there was hope for him. We got the all clear to go back and look again, this time the Creek had dropped lower than the first time we went in so we didn't get as wet as before. We search again the whole Creek and found bits of clothing, a part of a pack, bits from the pack of food and clothing. We renewed our energy and looked harder. The Creek came out onto a slight flat and fans out to drop into the Taipo river, the drop is only about a Metre as it is a build up silt from higher up washed down Mary Creek and into the Taipo River. We were told to call it a day and every one started to head back, to this day I do not know what made me tell the leader that I will do one more sweep of the stony fan. ( just before it goes into the Taipo River ) I walked along the fan but could see nothing so started to turn and catch up to the others when I saw a hand sticking out of the gravel, I walked over and I could see the hand and part of the wrist around the wrist was the black wrist band of the Oilskin he was wearing at the time. I called to the others and we dug him out, he had no marks on him and looked to be asleep except for a slight graze on his fore head. There was not much to cover him so some one covered him with his Swanndri and we carried him out. Back at the Hotel his sister was still waiting for news of her brother, when she saw me she asked did we find him? I replied yes....but not alive...Hell that was a very hard thing to do...I along with the other guys we were thanked for our assistance. The part I liked about Search & Rescue was telling the buggers off when we found them okay.....not the other way around.been raining ( like only Otira could rain ) and rivers were running high....quite High, we organized a party of about 6 of us to go in and look for the young fellow. I thing he was about 17 or 18, It seems that he came from Christchurch and was going on a special camp called Outward Bound in 2 weeks time, so he wanted to get some tramping time in, so he would be fit for the Camp. Apparently he had asked some of his mates to come with him, but they all declined for one reason or another so he came on his own. ( NEVER TRAMP ALONE ) With the weather the way it was it would have been better for him to stay at home and maybe go to a JIM, well we were called in to look for him and the rain had eased up but not stopped. We went up and down Mary creek, and in some places you could see where the debris was in the trees high up from the Creek bed.....it must have been a torrent running down that creek in the Gorge, we were up to our necks in some places feeling under huge boulders with our feet to see if we could feel any thing soft, trapped or stuck under there. We worked our way down the Creek and spotted some boot marks on a mossy rock with sand on the moss, then it started to rain and boy I mean rain....you could after 30 minutes, start to see the creek raising up higher and higher. We had to pack it in and get to hell out of there or get trapped, we waited another 4 days before we could go in again. The sister of this young fellow was at the Otira Hotel waiting for word from us, she asked me if there was any hope? I replied that there was always hope....but I did not feel in myself that there was hope for him. We got the all clear to go back and look again, this time the Creek had dropped lower than the first time we went in so we didn't get as wet as before. We search again the whole Creek and found bits of clothing, a part of a pack, bits from the pack of food and clothing. We renewed our energy and looked harder. The Creek came out onto a slight flat and fans out to drop into the Taipo river, the drop is only about a Metre as it is a build up of silt from higher up washed down Mary Creek and into the Taipo River. It was getting late so we were told to call it a day and every one started to head back, to this day I do not know what made me tell the leader that I will do one more sweep of the stony fan. ( just before it goes into the Taipo River ) I walked along the fan but could see nothing so started to turn and catch up to the others when I saw a hand sticking out of the gravel, I walked over and I could see the hand and part of the wrist. Around the wrist was the black wrist band of the Oilskin he was wearing at the time, I called to the others and we dug him out. He had no marks on him and looked to be asleep except for a slight graze on his fore head, there was not much to cover him so some one covered him with his Swanndri and we carried him out. Back at the Hotel his sister was still waiting for news of her brother, when she saw me she asked did we find him? I replied yes....but not alive...Hell that was a very hard thing to do...I along with the other guys we were thanked for our assistance. The part I liked about Search & Rescue was telling the buggers off when we found them okay.....not the other way around.
I was an Inspecting Ganger on the railways at one stage, my job was to cover the track from Jacksons to Arthur's Pass including the 5.1/4 mile tunnel through the Alps From Otira to Arthur's Pass making sure the track was safe with no danger.
This particular day I headed from Otira and travelled to Jacksons South of Otira on a one man jigger run by a Briggs & Stratton engine, on arriving at the station in Jacksons I called train control to see what time 740 would be leaving Inchbonnie.
Train Control Knows where ever one is on the track, and what times they leave and arrive. To go on the track you MUST have permission from Train Control) Well it seems that 740 will leave Inchbonnie in 15minutes time, so I had Train Control's permission to go to the other side of the Jacksons rail bridge and wait for the 740 train to go past...but I must be clear of the track. I was also told that the Bridge Gang from Greymouth were working on the bridge so take it easy, I slowly drove down the track and could see a fire going at the other end of the bridge.....That would be Tom Nepia getting ready to cook for the gang of men at 9.30am, we usually have a long morning tea and some time miss the lunch or just have a cup of tea. I started across the bridge and was ½ way over when I felt a bump then another bump....you are NOT supposed to have a bump on a railway line they are flat and smooth!! I looked back and could see that some one had tied ropes around the rail itself. When I got to the other side and cleared my Trolley off the track, I said to Jock (The Scotsman in charge), that they have the rope tied around the rail and 740 is on its way from Inchbonnie as we speak. Jock said that F word and the useless Bastards...and said he had two young Training Engineers with him, these trainees MUST work with different gangs to get knowledge for later on in the Job, when God help us they become Engineers!! I said are you going to warn them Jock? ( Scottish accent ) Hell no I have talked to the little idiots until I am blue in the face, they will find out soon enough. I said what are they doing under there Jock? The wee bastards are supposed to be cleaning bolt heads from rust, and putting red Lead paint on the bloody things. Then we saw 740 come into sight...Jock said come over here Trev we should have a good view. The embankment we walked out on looks back onto the bridge and it has a clear view of the area where the young engineers were having a lot of fun playing around, I notice that the river where they were painting over was a bright Blue colour and dark green, that tells you it is deep and very cold. Well along came 740 this train did not go bump bump like my trolley...this thing cut through the ropes like they were butter. There was a startled yell for a start....turning into a scream when they found out they are falling, both boys hit the water at the same time along with the scaffold they were on. The scaffold floated away on top of the water...now as the scaffold fell there was these two paint pots with no where to go but chase after the boys. The boys came up under a large red stain on the water (If they weren't red heads before. they sure as hell are now!!) Jock had a grin from ear to ear and I must admit I had a chuckle as well, the other boys in the gang were laughing fit to bust, especially when the two red heads climbed the slope up to the fire. Boy were they shivering....Then Jock told them to get the wet things off and dry out by the fire, then Tom got them a nice cup of hot tea. That was when Jock got stuck into them, he laid his tongue to every word not in the dictionary directing it at these so called Engineers. I said my goodbyes to Jock and went on my way. Next week I asked Train Control for permission to go to Jacksons, Control told me to watch out for the Bridge Gang working in the area.....I had to smile and thought about the last time we met. I drove the jigger across the Bridge and there was NO Bump Bump this time, I saw the rope and I could see it was formed into a figure 8 around the sleepers and UNDER the rail. Caught up with Jock and said rope looks good he glanced at the two young men and said …...There learning Trev!! it will take time but they are learning!!
One person who I had a lot of respect for and was a good mate, was George Tainui, George was the Grade 2 ganger at Otira and a hard worker. George and I hit it off right from the start and we got on well together, George always had a ready smile and a kind word. In Otira in those days there was a party going on at some ones house ( Mainly after the Pub Closed ) and normally every one was invited...or you just showed up. Every one knew every one so there was no animosity towards anyone, on this particular day there was a party at George and Pup's place. ( George incidentally was the God Father to Jason my 2nd son and Jock Tuari was the God Father to my first son Mark ) on this particular day I was told by my wife to take Mark for a ride in his push chair, and guess where we ended up?...yep George & Pups place. There was a drink shoved into my hands which I said no to several times, then Jock gave little Mark a drink of his beer....well that was the end of it every time Mark saw some one with a glass his hands were open and arms out stretched. Now who could refuse the poor mite a wee drink? I gave him a small drink, but what I didn't know was that Jock was giving him a drink and so was George. After a couple of hours I thought I had better take him home as it was 12.30pm and lunch time, Mark looked okay to me but by the time I had wheeled him home his head kept flopping to one side. His Mother took one look at him and yelled at me that I had got him drunk and then she got stuck into me well and truly, I, as all men have this built in ability to recognise danger and know instinctively when to withdraw and boy did I withdraw to a safer place.....Yep back to the Party....every one there was friendly, singing, talking and laughing that was my safe place. Only went home after the party finished as work next day, crept into bedroom, wife sound asleep....so I thought, my mistake....after an ear bashing sleep over took me faintly and in the distance I could here some one talking about my blood line!!!! Snoring is a great way to block out any unwanted noise.
About 2 weeks later George didn't turn up for work one day, didn't turn up the next day either, so the Boss sent me down to see where he was and if he was okay. Every window was covered with blinds and the back door locked, I thought he might have gone to Arahura down Hokitika way that's where his home is. I tried a knock thinking he had gone when I heard some one say who is it, its Trevor George...Boss wants to know if you are coming to work. “NO” ..why not George, There is a bloody Morepork in the yard at night and has been there the last 3 nights, SO what I said. George said him and the family will not come out of the house until the Morepork has gone, I asked why? George said that a Morepork in the yard or near the house for any length of time means a death in the family, he was making sure it would not be his family. I went back and told the Boss and he put George on sick leave so he would still get paid, after 5 days the Morepork flew away and George and family came out of hiding. Later on that day George got a message from Arahura Pa, that two of his cousins had been hit by a car and died. They were coming back from the Pub at around 1.30am some things are hard to explain...Belief or coincident, some people see ghosts some people don't....
When we went to the Pub, which was not often!!!!! I was always asked ...the usual Trev? to which I replied yes please. Now one day I went into the Pub with George, Snow asked me if it was the usual Trev? I said thank you Snow. Then he looked at George and said what do want George, George without hesitation put his hands under his stomach and placed the stomach on the bar saying FILL HER UP SNOW. The whole Bar broke out with laughter, we were very late getting home that night.
Mount White has a lovely river running down from it connecting up to the Bealey, forming the Waimakariri which flows out to the sea. Up in these areas the fish are protected so God help you if you are caught catching them. If you follow the Salmon up from the sea as they head as far up as they can get for spawning, you can see them in little back washes dotted here and there all the way up the river. These little backwashes are resting places for the Salmon on the run, they seem to rest in these areas until they get a good group and do another push up river. As they head up the river they take on changes, their jaw changes shape and the colour goes from their skin, while on this big push they do not eat and also the skin starts to peel away from their bodies. When they reach the spawning area they dig holes into the river bed and out comes the sacks of eggs and lay into the holes, another comes and wriggles over the eggs and lets off a white cloud ( sperm ) after that they just roll over and die.
Now Myself and 3 others from Otira decided we wanted a feed of these Salmon, so we headed over to Mount White river bridge. Just up a piece from the bridge was a good shallow part of the river with a deep flow in the middle, there we were the 4 of us with back packs .22 rifles and spotlights. We were looking for a Salmon with a shiny skin (Shiny skin meant still in good nick) once spotted we put the light on his eyes and slowly walked towards him...turn off the light ...wait a moment and switch back on again. By this time he hasn't got used to the light, bring the .22 to bear just ahead of his jaw put the gun nozzle as close to the water as possible without going under the water and then squeeze the trigger. (This is the fun part) if you do it right the concussion will knock him out and he will roll over (you have to be quick to grab him as he will go with the flow of the river and you could lose him) Pick him up and cut to bleed, because I have had some that were playing possum with me and came alive and took off. Once all that has been done place into back pack and look for the next one, we were having a great time and we had a few so we were ready to go home after a couple more. Then it happened a huge search light came on us and a voice rang out.....This is the Ranger don't move, we all turned our spotlights onto the ranger... all 4 of us. This blinded the Ranger and he yelled out I know who you all are!! I yelled back.. no you don't John!! with that John turned off his light and drove away. It was about one month later I was in the Bar at Otira Pub (unusual for me) having a quiet drink, when a hand came on my shoulder and a voice said to me Trevor you owe me a drink. Without turning around I said what would you like John? a jug please Trevor...you know what its for don't you Trev? I replied yes John. How many did you get? I told him we got 9 shiny ones still in good nick, John said, what did you do with them. I told him we shared them around the Township and thanked him for his understanding, John said he didn't mind the locals poaching so much, as they are not greedy and only take what is needed. It is the ones from the City we don't like, they shoot up every thing and just let it all die...total waste . I said John how come you knew it was me out there.....Bloody hell Trevor I'd know your voice anywhere.!!!! Must wear a muffler next time!!!!!
One more about my favourite Police Man Digby Darling.
As you stand on the steps of the Pub looking towards the railway yards and housing area, behind that are the Mountains very steep. Also there is a very large and steep slip on this particular Mountain, now and again you can actually see Deer walking across the slip or Thar and some times chamois. Now when this happens the village comes alive with so much fire power you would think we had our own private army,...every man and dog wants to get the animal that stupid enough to cross the slip in daylight. On one of these particular days our Fearless Police Officer saw the Deer on the slip and rushed down to get Bill Eden's to help him shoot it, Bill took Digby to the river bank edge and there Digby had a shot at it from across the river hitting the Deer on the slip some way up. Digby hit it but only wounded it, so Bill went up and put it out of it's misery. Bill gutted it picked it up and carried it down the slip and there he was going to hand it to Digby...Digby asked Bill to carry it across the river for him as he was a bit unsteady on the rocks and the flow of the river wouldn't help either. ( Bill is short and stocky and solid, Digby is taller with a protruding stomach ) Bill carried it across the river and Digby asked if Bill could carry it a bit further, as soon as they came in sight of the windows of the Pub Digby said to Bill I will carry it from here. Bill gave Digby a hand to get the Deer high on his shoulders and said I will carry the rifle for you, Digby refused saying he will carry the rifle as well. Bill came up to the Pub and ordered a beer, Looking out the window there was Digby walking up past the Pub with every one looking out the window at him. Digby put on a fantastic show of ...Look what I shot...Not even looking at us he strode up the steep little road that runs by the Pub across the road to the Police Station lock-up. There we lost sight of him, Bill told us what happened and we all roared with laughter. A couple of hours later Digby came into the Pub, NO one mentioned seeing him stagger up the road with the Deer, if they did it would be a great opening for Digby to tell us his adventure. So we all shut up and said NOTHING. We are a cruel lot!!
Getting away from Otira for a minute, I used to drink in a lot of Pubs in Greymouth and over the West Coast after all they were at that time a focal point for meeting and enjoying one's self.
I went into the Royal Hotel one afternoon around 5.15pm just finished work at Bailey & Neville Fruit Auctioneers, pushed open the door and went in....The place was packed. They were approx. 5 deep at the Bar and every one was after a drink, I was going to turn away and go some where else when I spotted Allen Campbell around the other side of the Horse shoe shape Bar.....bleary eyed he had been there a while. ( I am not sure if this ever happened to any one else ) I was standing behind about 3 people waving my arms and hand at Pat Smith the Publican to attract his attention for a beer, when suddenly every thing went dead quiet not one word...then this voice rang out. Hands up those in the Bar that pull themselves. YEP you guest it I was the only silly Bastard in the whole bar with my hands in the air, then that voice again....SCOTT you are the only honest bastard here the rest are liar's...and as he said it he was pointing at me. Every one was looking at me...I didn't have to open the door to get out, I just walked under it I felt that small after what Allen said.
We had some good times in Otira and we had a few Cops, coming and going most of them were pretty good and great to get along with. Like Dave Sands he went along with the locals, he was easy and fair with us but if we stepped out of line or played up he could be a tough Cop, and you saw the other side of him. Dave was well respected and got along with every one, then there was this other Cop I don't remember his name but we called him Digby Darling. It appears that he used to be in the Air force as an MP ( and I don't mean Member of Parliament either ) I am sure he was sent to Otira for the locals to train him. Well I used to give him hell, he couldn't come on a search with us as he was slightly larger than any of us...and anyway he had to stay by the phone just in case!! One day we were up at the Pub ( Again ) and Digby happen to come in for a drink, he saw me and went to the other end of the Bar to get away from me. I spotted him and went around and slapped Digby on the back in a playful manner and said to Snow ( the Bar Owner ) Give him a drink on me Snow I'll shout him. Well old Digby was over whelmed and thanked me very much for the drink, I said not a problem and I am sorry I keep picking on you. Well old Digby was really taken back and was quite friendly and happy, he lifted his drink and was just starting to swallow when I said to him...By the way Digby that's a drink you owe me. You should have seen the spray that came from Digby's lips, it went a fair way down the bar covering a few locals, they gave Digby hell for drowning them. Digby slammed down his drink and said to me ..you've done it again you Bastard. Right, what are you drinking, I said that's nice of you Digby I will have a whisky. Digby yells at Old Snow get a whiskey for this bugger Snow and a big one. I said just a double nip will do Digby....That'll be the day said Digby and told Snow to fill up the biggest bloody glass you have in the Pub, the biggest is the 20oz West Coast Schooner said Snow. Then fill that bugger up with Johnny Walker Whiskey, I said there is no need for that Digby just a normal whiskey is fine. No bloody way Trevor you have teased me once to often now you asked for a drink and you are bloody well going to get one. Well they presented me with the 20oz full to the brim with whiskey and Digby says....now drink it straight back, by this time all the Customers in the Pub were watching and chanting drink it up Trev. Cries of...You can do it Trev, Drop it back mate, go for it Trev, you show him Trev. I had a reputation of holding my liquor well, so I sat on a stool picked up the Schooner and started to drink, I drank slowly waiting for each heat wave to die off before the next swallow. I drank for some time, and in the end I had to put the schooner on the bar just so I could catch my breath. I looked at the glass and there was approx. ½ inch left in the glass, I leaned forward to pick the glass up with the intentions of draining the last bit...when suddenly I took off backwards. My legs just went and I had to follow, I hit the wall with a hell of a thud and slid down sitting on the floor legs straight out in front of me. Every one came over to see if I was all right, I felt fine, I could talk okay and think okay but my bloody legs would not listen to me, they had a mind of their own. My mates picked me up and put me on a bar stool next to the bar, I finished off the whiskey and asked Snow for my usual 5oz beer to dilute the whiskey. Not sure how many I had or how I got home.....But I was sure thankful it was Sunday next day..( No Work ) Digby left Otira not long after that I think Transferred or left the Police Force!! Never heard from Digby again.
I love the West Coast with all my heart, the people in my day were straight up and would help you if you were in trouble. Sure we had some hard cases but even they had a soft spot at times or they could be bloody tough, My favourite spot would have to be the Alps mainly Otira...I have a very soft spot for that area. I think mainly because you felt like you were free there, as long as you kept a sense of honour, worked when needed the rest of the time was yours to do as you wished. There is nothing like coming from Arthur's Pass area towards the Otira Divide, you can actually see where the tops end and the tree line starts, this is true all along the mountains as far as you can see. It is as if GOD had drawn a pencil line along the mountains dividing tussock from trees, the sight in early morning is fantastic and takes your breath away.
I was coming back from Burnham camp with two mates of mine, they had never been to the West Coast of the South Island before, so I decided to take them home too Greymouth by car. We stopped at the top of the great divide just before we start to drop down the zig-zags, it was around 8am and the sun was just hitting the snow tops with a golden glow. I told them to get out and see this....The bush knew they were strangers and it knew I was coming home, so it put on a show like I have never seen before or since. The sky was clear and crisp with a sharp blue look to it, not a cloud in the sky. The morning was very quiet except for the call of the Kea, the Kea's were wheeling about and as they turned the sun caught their under plumage showing a brilliant red, the green plumage showed up well in the sunlight. Bellbirds were calling to us from down in the bush in the valley, the sun crept along and kissed the snow cap tops with a brilliant yellow ting its rays warming us as we stood and took it all in. The Valley was in flood with a sea of red rata, punctuated here and there by the white rata. The sun came over and flooded the whole valley with its fingers of gold, it was to much for these hard bitten old Sargent's from the Army. I heard one say “OH MY GOD” this is magic, the other old Sargent didn't say a thing just let loose a torrent of air like he had been holding it for a long while. I looked at him and he, the same as me had tears in his eyes. I just said …..I'M HOME.....The other two looked at me and nodded, later in Greymouth after a few beers they both remarked on the spectacular spectacle that was presented to them...they reckoned they will never forget that moment every,.....nor have I and I never will. What a fantastic world we live in!!!
I remember one time we had the snow storm up in the Alps blocking off Arthur Pass right through to Springfield, I was loading the flat top wagons in Otira to take cars trucks and what ever through the tunnel to Arthur's Pass. It seems that from Arthur's Pass to Springfield the Road works were out clearing the road, but from Otira to Arthur's Pass the snow was to deep & heavy. So all people wanting to go through to the other side had to go through the tunnel by rail, I was walking along counting the cars lined up...counting of the next loadings onto the flattops. When I came across Dr Nixon in his car ( Dr Nixon has been our family Dr since I was very young ) I said what are doing here Doc, he said to me....He had a 100 pound bet on with Dr Dallas that he could get to the Addington Races before him, Dr Dallas has gone the other way in his car and I have taken this way. Taking this way it seems I may have lost my bet....I told him to hang fire and we can see what we can do, I walked up to where they were starting to load the wagons and asked the Shunter to hold on and let this Dr through as he has to get to Arthur's Pass, some one is pretty sick over there. Every thing was held up and I waved the Dr onto the wagons, there were a few remarks about jumping the queue but when they knew it was a Dr nobody complained any more.
We loaded the Dr up with about 20 more cars and sent them off through the tunnel. Months later I had reason to go and see the Dr, I asked him about the race and he said he had won the 100 pound plus they had a great 2 days at the races. My visit to the Dr that day was free..Who says Kindness doesn't pay??
You just have to live on the Coast to get away with some of the things we used to get up to, Take for instance the day 3 of us kids were down white baiting on the rocks. We didn't get much and we were a little disappointed, we had big ideas of supplying the families with whitebait fritters for tea and being hero's at the same time.
We were going home so we put the net up under the wharf and started to walk home, we went along to the station as we wanted to use the toilet. We didn't have a penny so waited until some one came out of the toilet, then held the door open so we could all take turns going for a pee. As we walked along the Station towards the over pass there was the Porters barrow ( The one they use to load all the luggage on ) it had 4gall tins of whitebait loaded right up ready for the railcar to take them to Christchurch, the lids has been spot soldered on so we couldn't get into it. One of the boys found a little hole in the side of the tin in the middle of the stack, so we worked on that and found it widened without to much trouble. Then I took off to the back of Frank Bells Dairy some distance away and managed to get 3 empty quart bottles, I ran back as fast as I could as I knew the railcar would be loaded soon and then we would lose every thing. The boys had turned the Barrow so that the tin we were going to attack was facing away from the Station, thereby blocking the view from the offices or anyone working on the platform. We started to open the torn tin wider and the excitement was fantastic, out came the whitebait and we had to try and control the flow with our hands. Filled one quart, filled the next quart and finally the 3rd quart then we had to bend the tin back so no more would flow out and be wasted. We were on a high...now I know how Ned Kelly and Robin Hood felt, we managed to stop the flow and semi seal the tin and moving cautiously back, we took of like the Devil himself was after us. Mum cooked the whitebait that night for our tea and Dad was pleased with my days catch, it was a long time before we went anywhere near the station again...and an even longer time for a whitebait Tea again!!
I was picked to defend NZ against any foe that threatened our land...in other words the marble landed on my birth-date so in I went. It was not as I thought it would be, and the Regular Force were there to make sure we did not live to enjoy any part of our life. There was so much yelling and screaming at us, that when I did leave the Army I was afraid to get married (for a long time) Anyway I worked my way up to transport NCO in the Artillery and I had 12 drivers and 94 vehicles to look after, I asked one particular driver to just check the two differentials under and RL Bedford to make sure the he could touch the oil inside the filling hole. He had a crescent spanner and crawled under the truck, I left him to it and went back to check on the other drivers and paper work. Half an hour later I went past to the truck and there was a pair of feet sticking out, just where I had left him. I went under the truck to check if he was okay and the bugger was sound asleep ( crook from the Booze )....Now I can relate too that in a big way and decided not to fine him, so I asked him did he check the Diffs first before going asleep? “NO” Why Not? Reply...I don't know how to use the crescent spanner. The Crescent Spanner, all you do is turn a little wheel on it and the jaws adjust to any size you want it for. I told him I will think of some thing for him, and to come and see me in the morning. That evening after dinner I went to the Sergeants mess to have a few drinks, there I got talking to the Warrant Officer of the Mechanical unit. I told him what had happened and he said give him to me for a week. Next morning I told the young soldier to report to the Mechanical Unit and ask for WO2 Clark, he was quite keen to go for he thought it was a driving job. Oh no no no...No driving job, he had to make about 12 different size holes in this piece of timber go through the bolt box and find different bolts to fit the holes. Then when he had done that he had to find the nuts that went onto the different types of bolts, once that mission was completed he had to place the timber in a vice get the crescent spanner and practise adjusting the spanner to fit the nuts. When that was done he was to turn the nuts right to the base of the wood and then undo them again, once that was completed he was to move to the next nut and do the same....and so on. When this mission was completed he had to start all over again, this went on for 3 days by that time some one said to me I'm sorry Trevor can I come back now. I told him he only had 2 more days to go and then he could come back. After the 5 days were up I could ask this young soldier to do anything, and he did it immediately....No More trouble from there on.
I had a fantastic time in the Army, at this stage I was a 2 striper Full Bombardier and we were down in Tekapo having a big exercise for a month. I was still attached to Headquarters Battery and still in Charge of the Vehicles, I had the authorisation to sign any vehicle out to who ever ( Man the Power I had ) Now after the month long camp down there in Tekapo it was time to head back to Burnham Military Camp, we packed every thing up and loaded onto trucks...( the idea of a convoy is to be 100 yards behind the vehicle in front of you and only travel at 40 miles an hour ) this is to allow public traffic to over take at ease. I was asked to drive the “OFFICERS MESS TRUCK”!!!!! Officers Mess Truck was full of booze, and they asked this little old West Coaster to drive it and look after it....wonders never cease. My Co Pilot was from Hokitika and the other passenger was from Westport, now the RL Bedford they loaded all that booze into had a gun turret in the cab roof and the big canopy hiding all that pleasure had a surveillance flap in the front facing the cab roof. ( I think you are starting to get the picture ) All 3 of us were slightly crook from the night before and the heat of the cab and being Summer in all it took its toll on us. At the first stop all the trucks bunched up and parked as far off the road as possible, Cup of tea time and a break. While having the break I went into the back of the Truck just check on a few things and open up the observation flap....just to let some air through....(you understand??) Then we were off again going back to our travel distances and speeds, as it happened things got hot again, so I suggested to my Co Pilot that he go through the turret and in through the flap and find some thing nice and bring it back to us.
He handed down 6 bottles of beer, to which we drank over a short time and he went back for more this time cold cans. I don't remember how long the drive was, and I don't remember driving past the gates of Burnham Military Camp. I do remember seeing Rolleston Railway station and realised I was heading towards Addington, I stopped and turned around and headed back. As we were heading back there was two MP land-rovers with lights flashing heading towards Rolleston, I didn't think anything of it until we got to Burnham...it was dark by then. I was told that the Military Police were looking for me and the Truck!! they told us to get out of the cab and one of their men would park up the truck and put it under guard for the night. Well we got out of the truck ( More like falling out ) and we stood against the Truck just in case the Truck fell over, my boss looked at us and said get to bed I will deal with you in the morning.
We finally found out barracks and crashed, next day a big pep talk and confined to Barracks with one day loss of pay. Well I ask you, fancy putting West Coasters in charge of a booze truck?????
Well I worked my way up in the Army to a two striper, my RSM was a man by the name of TINY HILL a Tall lanky bugger with a bit of Maori in him. He always called me the wild West Coaster...sure I got into a few things here and there in the Army, so I happened to get a tag from Tiny as the Wild West Coaster ( Actually I liked the man ). Well one day he came up to me and said tomorrow I want you to sew these on, I looked at what he was giving me and said that's Sergeant stripes Tiny I don't want them I am happy where I am as a two striper. You get them sewed on by tomorrow, I said why me Tiny? there's plenty of other guys better than me. Tiny said yes there is but they don't know the tricks that you do, so it's better to make you the Sergeant and easier for me to keep an eye on you. That was that, and I hated going on Parades then some one told me that a Staff Sergeant has no place on Parade ground, so I thought that's for me I'll be a Staff Sergeant so off I went and started to do all the tests and exams. I passed them all up to the part where I had to march a squad of 8 soldiers, what an act...I was a very sick boy!! wearing the old sand suits from WW11, it was a hot day in Winter ( although it felt like mid Summer ) and I was trying to shout orders for the squad. They were marching away from me and my voice was just a squeak, the squad just kept marching and I muttered to myself stuff it let the buggers go. When suddenly from right behind me came this bellow “SQUAD HALT” well I went about 2 feet in the air, dam near made a mess in the rough pants and had one hell of a fright I turned around and there was Tiny, big smile on his face. I said you big useless bastard you could have given me a bloody heart attach. Still grinning Tiny said what's wrong Coaster....I told him I was feeling sick. He brought the squad back and told me to just keep them there saluting for about 5min, then Tiny said he was going to the Sergeants mess, I'll have one on the bar for you Coaster see you at 12pm at the mess.
A couple of minutes went by and I dismissed the squad and made a bee line for the mess, I pushed open the door and headed for the bar. There sitting on the bar was a freshly poured large handle of light brown liquid with a soft bubbly froth on the top, the froth was just starting to cascade down the side of this chilled glass and the light shone on the cold sweat beads on the glass lighting it up like shrine piece. My hand entered the handle part of this gift from the Gods and I lifted it gently to my lips, the feeling was one of absolute pleasure when the cool liquid teased my lips then started its cooling journey to my lower abdomen. What a fantastic sensation and feeling as this liquid started to bring down the high temperature in my body, I swear steam was coming from around my collar as it flowed down my throat. I placed the pint pot back on the bar stood back and wiped my lips, breathing a sigh of relief and contentment, I heard a voice say did you enjoy that? There was this fellow standing at the bar and I said yes I did very much thank you!! then he said well that was my bloody beer mate. I said I was sorry and said I would buy him one, he said no way mate that was worth watching, shit he said you must have been thirsty. I said Tiny was going to set one up on the bar for me and I thought that was it, looking around there was Tiny on a leaner table big grin on his face pointing at a pint pot. I still liked the old bugger he was a real gentleman was our Tiny Hill.
I shifted to Stratford with the Railways as a Thermit Welder, Welding up the tracks ( getting rid of the joints ). My area was from Stratford to New Plymouth and South to Hawera and down to Patea, Inland as far as Oakuni, I did at one stage go over to the Ra-rimu Spiral and train a gang over there to Thermit Weld.
I had a part time business selling sacks of mussels and Oysters, normally every one was pretty good at paying only a few were slow but eventually they paid up. One particular woman had a sack of Oysters off me at $38.00 a sack, I kept asking for the money but she was always broke, this went on for a few months. In the end I confronted her and asked for payment ….I was told to go and Photograph myself and a few other things as well, so I though right you have asked for it girl....too broke to pay me but plenty for the Pub and she stayed right up until closing as well. Now she has a little Morris 1000 she drives to the Pub and home again, so I asked a couple of mates if they could help me one night. Yep not a problem Trev, so we waited and as usual she arrived and parks the Morry in the same place around the back and went inside. We waited for about 10 minutes then started our get even tactics, we lifted the Morry up onto blocks of wood and took off the wheels....yep undid the nuts and took the whole 4 wheels off. My mate took them out to his place as he knew there would be trouble at my place. We heard through the grape vine that this woman came out of the Pub (Late) got into her car started it up and put it gear. Her friends were there waving to her as went to drive off, looked out the window and her friends were still there, tried putting the car into another gear but still staying there. It wasn't until one of her friends could see the wheel drums spinning that some thing was wrong!! well it was a couple of days later when the Police came around to see me, just one Cop and tall gangly bugger with Maori features, asking me if I knew about the wheels going missing. I said that I had heard about it but it has nothing to do with me, he said this woman who owns the car does she owe you some money? I told him yes she owed me for a sack of oysters but I have given up waiting for her to pay, then he said to me if she paid you for the oysters would the wheels come back? I said at least I would get my money back and you never know the wheels might come back also. He looked at me and said Trevor Scott, Trevor Scott have you been on the West Coast South Island or come from there? I said yes...from Greymouth. Were you ever in the Army I said yes..a little puzzled now, do you know an officer in the Army by the name of Tiny Hill? I said shit yes he was my RSM.....well he is my brother, I am Tam Hill. Tiny always talks about this Wild West Coaster and now I am beginning to see why. A day later I was Paid my $38.00 and that night some wheels were returned to a waiting Morry 1000. Just goes to show all is well that ends well!!
Tiny took me as his Batman to drive him down to Addington Barracks ( I was still a 2 striper then ) we arrived there at 8am and the Camp Commodore asked Tiny if he had breakfast yet? Tiny said no and nor has my Driver, we went and had a wonderful breakfast and during the talking Tiny introduced me to the Camp Commodore as Trevor Scott the wild West Coaster, The commodore was really interested in me and said do you know how to play 45s? I said yes, to which the Camp Commodore said would you teach me? I said that the only way to learn the game is to play it, after the days work driving around we were asked to stay for tea. Tiny said we had to get back to Camp as they were expecting us, The Commodore said nonsense and called Burnham to tell them that Tiny will be a little late...Then after tea Commodore wanted to learn West Coast 45s card game. It was around 10pm when the Commodore called Burnham Camp and told them that Tiny and his driver were staying over night, during the course of the Evening and morning Tiny kept dropping off to sleep the Camp Commodore and I were still drinking and playing cards......he was slowly getting the hang of the game but couldn't quite get this part about reneging. I didn't mind as I was making a quid or two, free booze and a feed later on. Finally we all went to bed and after a hearty breakfast headed back to Burnham Camp, Tiny was tired and I had a stupid grin on my face and when we got to Burnham Camp Tiny said to me, that was the last time I go as Driver for him...I am to dam dangerous.
I am going back a bit now to when I was about 15 or 16, Some may put me right but I think it was Sailor Hill and his wife ( I think her name was Cathy, not sure ) who had the Marawhiti Pub!! We were in there one late afternoon heading back to Greymouth when the dreaded thirst got to us, so we stopped in for a couple of quick beers around 5 ish. Around 5.30 a travelling Salesman came in breasted the bar and ordered a beer he asked Sailor if any chance of having a meal here? Sailor said sure but his wife wanted to get to Greymouth to do some shopping ( Friday Night 9pm shops closing ) so the meal will be on the table soon. The Salesman nodded and carried on drinking, when another Salesman came through the door went up to the bar and asked for a beer, he stood next to the other Salesperson. Next thing you now they started chatting and as you chat the time moves on, and as you do when drinking with some one you shout them a drink and then they shout back. The 2nd Salesman also asked to have tea there with the other Salesperson, 5.30pm Cathy came in and said you meals are on the table....yeah yeah we will be in shortly. 5.45 Cathy came in and said again your meals are on the table....okay Mrs we will finish the beer and come in and eat. Sailor said to both these fellows you had better go and eat...she is not joking around, one went to the toilet and the other said fill them Sailor and then we will go and eat. 6Pm and in came Cathy again this time a little angry, and said I am only going to say this just once more, Your Bloody Tea in on the table come and eat it!! Both men said okay we will be there and made an attempt to drink the beer down to the ½ way mark, Sailor behind the bar was washing the glasses in the under the counter sink and drying them with the tea towel, he was polishing the glasses and looking at the two Salesmen and said to them: Boys you had better do as you are told, I am warning you if you don't go in she will come and get you....then you will be sorry, Take your beers in with you!! 6.20pm These two were engrossed in their sales talk, both of them facing the bar with one foot on the trough that goes around the bar ( Hip-shod ) ( I remember this well ) The door to the Dinning room flung open and banged against the wall, ( Sailor was serving me two beers and said “Oh Oh” here we go!! ) Cathy entered the Bar and made a beeline for these two men at the bar, ( Every one stopped talking and watched ) she did not say a word but both men had their back to her. Cathy went behind the two men shoved her hands between their legs got a firm grip on each of their family jewels and squeezed, as she squeezed she lifted them at the same time bringing them to tiptoe......turned them around and still on tiptoe marched them out to the Dinning room. All the while this was happening Sailor was standing behind the bar saying I warned you two, I told you to go for Tea, maybe now you will listen to me in future. A little time later....Cathy came out of the Dinning room all dressed up and said to Sailor you can get those bastards to wash the dishes I'm off to Greymouth. I don't know who washed the dishes, my mate and I headed for Greymouth just happy it wasn't us!! When Cathy has her back up, she is a force to be reckoned with and NO mistake!!
I used to be pretty good at Home Brewing Beer, Wine or spirits, when we shifted from Otira to Springfield I took up the brewing with a vengeance...nothing was sacred I cooked the lot. It seems that I had a reputation of being able to hold my liquor well and actually put the stuff away very well indeed, no sign of drunkenness at all.
One day a Train Driver and his family got a transfer to another city from Springfield, and when they moved they left behind a very nice garden full of growing veggies. Among the growing veggies were some very nice young carrots, they weren't quite ready for eating so I thought to myself why not make a carrot whisky out of them. I dug them all up topped them and washed them and started the process of turning them into the nectar for the Gods, I had them bubbling away under an air lock for around 3 months....I had actually forgotten about them sitting in the Wash House...until I was reminded that they were in the way ( You Guys know what I mean!! ) I carefully wracked the fluid off into a 5Ltr Jimmy John and capped it...and again left it, Again reminded that the STUFF was in the wash house under the concrete twin tubs. I had a look and the fluid had settled out nicely giving a clear light whisky colour to it, I washed out some old whisky bottles I had gathered a long time ago and started to fill these up with the nectar. I had to have a little taste and Boy did it taste good better than the Pub whisky. I never did find out what proof it was but let me assure you it was NOT like a mild soft drink, when it went down it started cleaning the tubes by working on the tongue and back of the mouth first. Then it started to sterilize the throat as it went down, you could feel the a warm tingling feeling going out along your arms to the fingers. ( I thought I was in love all over again ) It felt really good the flavour was just right and the colour was spot on, and yes I did light it with a match and a methylated spirit like flame came off it...Fantastic. Well I bottled the Alexia and put it away. Now my mate Eric came in for a drink one Saturday afternoon, so I brought out my carrot whisky ( Eric was more of a beer drinker ) Carrot you say...Yes Eric but is has a kick to it...okay maybe just one then. Within 1 hr Eric was on the floor playing with my kids like a big kid himself, scrambling around on all fours...giving the kids a ride on his back. We had a couple more ( only small ones ) and Eric said he was going up to the pub, it was snowing out side, so I said if you could wait a while I will take him up in the car. No need I can go now and you catch up when you are done here. Okay Eric....are you sure you are okay?? No problem.... Another 1.1/2hrs went by before I could get up to the Pub, by this time it was really snowing quite heavy. I arrived at the Pub went inside and no Eric, we didn't think much of it has he probably went home. An hour had gone past and I had this uneasy feeling he was still on his way to the Pub, I said to my mate I am going to back track and look for him. Both of us started back along the track to the Railways Houses, it was still snowing as we walked along the track and came to the little creek. This creek only had a plank across it to walk over as it was only 1.5m wide and not very deep, we walked over it still no footprints....but then it had been snowing hard for a few hrs. As we walked by I noticed a hump by the side of the track ( There has never been one there before ) so we investigated, under that snow was Eric curled up into a ball and half frozen. We got him to his feet and took him to the Pub where they had a big roaring fire going, Eric could not speak and he was shaking like a leaf. When he did finally come round we asked him what happened? and he said that bloody Carrot Whisky of Trevor's...never again, I was doing alright, ( so he thought ), when I found myself on the ground and couldn't get up again. Eric never touched my Spirits at all after that....stuck to his beer all the time after that.
I was sitting at home in Springfield with the wife and kids, a big open fire going in the sitting room watching TV, we had a sleeper with one end in the fire and the other part of stretched into the room by about 2 metres. Every time the end burnt off we just pushed the sleeper in, no running out side in the snow for more firewood. We were sitting quiet and watching TV when there was a knock on the front door, I got up and opened the door....there were about 4 of my mates there wanting to come in. I stood back and in they came, along with some guy I had never seen before. They introduced him to me and sat down, I asked what the visit was all about? and they told me that this fellow ( they introduced me to ) had heard about my drinking ability and wanted to challenge me. I said you have to be kidding...why come here to my home? It seems, that come hell or high water this fellow wanted to challenge me to a drinking dual.
So I brought down my carrot whisky and poured out 2 half glasses ( the glasses were the short shot glasses used for whisky ) I placed one in front of this fellow ( I will call Joe ) Joe had his drank before I even sat down...just up ended it and said come on we are here to drink what's the matter with you? I said take it easy with that stuff, you don't know its strength so go easy. I was called a pussy by Joe and he looked at my mates and said ..I thought you said he was a top drinker?? Well that was it I poured two more half glasses and Joe tossed his straight back with a grin on his face, my empty glass hit the table the same time as his empty glass. My so called mates looked at each other and started to grin, they knew what was coming...so this time I filled the two glasses to the top. I tossed mine straight back and put the glass on the table, Joe picked his up and looked like he was going to do the same but only drank half the glass, then had another go at it. While he was debating on the second half of his drink I had filled mine up again and waited for him to finish so I could fill his glass. Joe was seemingly looking a little slower, I filled his and tossed mine back...Joe was very slow with his drink and took his time to finish it. Meantime I had filled mine again and his and tossed mine back, Joe drank half of his and then decided to go out side for a smoke. We were all sitting inside when we heard this piercing scream from out side, we rushed out side and there was Joe laying on the lawn looking up into the sky. He was screaming very loud and when we came up to him and looked down on him he just went absolutely berserk, he still had a smoking cigarette in one hand and his lighter in the other. We finally got him up and my mates took him home, a few days later back at the Pub we pieced together what happened along with info from Joe. It seems Joe went out for a smoke, he was standing on the lawn that had about 4” of snow on it. He had his back to the house and was looking at the fence and road when he went to light his fag. It seems that while he was lighting the fag he fell backwards but didn't know or feel anything. It wasn't until he took the lighter away and looked straight ahead that all he could see was stars...where the fence & road should have been. He turned his head to the left and saw nothing but stars and the same when he looked to the right, up, or down. He actually thought he was on the edge of the earth and if he moved he would fall off that was why he was screaming so loudly...and then all of us came out and peered over him, that spaced him out even worse. Joe never ever came back to my place again...as a matter of fact the Publican from the local Hotel gave me a dressing down because Joe was one of his best customers and now thanks to me he has given up drinking....FOR LIFE!! Carrot whisky is Ideal for veterinarians??? or fuel for the Car.
The days in Otira.....I will never forget or the antics we used to get up to.
We were working one day at the Deception area between Otira and Jacksons on the rail track, in that particular area there was the slip, road and rail all together. When it rained there would be a slip come down and block the road, and some times spill onto the rail track as well. We were called to the area to shift the slip from the rail and work in conjunction with the Road works staff, then we would go back the next day and fix the line properly. One particular day we were sent to the area to line and re-tamp the track, it was a blistering hot day and we were all stripped down to the waist. Not a cloud in the sky ….just a very hot yellow ball trying hard to fry us, the guys wanted to cool off in the river. Now the river its self is some way off from our work area but there is a deep pool of crystal clear water very close to the rail and road, it is about 12 to 14 foot deep and about 40foot wide and very still it would be around 100 yards long. It is so clear that you can see the stem and veins in the leaves lying on the bottom and the stone are very clear to look at...and it doesn't LOOK very deep. As I said it was very hot so I said to the guys if you want a quick dip go for it ( Me included ) Well I was the first in ( after I was the leader ) all together 9 of us went in for that quick dip....and I mean quick. We went in as Stallions and came out the other side as Geldings....it was bloody freezing, there we all were on the stone bank on the other side trying to make up our minds to dive in and swim back again shivering like hell. Even the teeth would not stop chattering, then suddenly along came the old Vulcan rail car heading to Otira. There we were all in plain view all 9 of us facing the main river with our backs and backsides displayed to the Railcar, the driver God Bless him, kept tooting the bloody horn and slowed up so every one was looking to see what was happening. Glancing over my shoulder I could see a row of white faces looking out of the Railcar windows, some with grins big enough to split their faces. It soon trundled out of sight and we dove into the water and swam back to the job and clothes, again we were freezing and all important parts of our anatomy disappeared inside to get warm ….it took a long time for every thing to get back to normal again. We arrived back at the Depot that night and went to the Pub....every one was talking about the new NUDE Gang working on the track!!!
That was the same day...Lunch time that we heard the thrashing of water just a little way away from us, it was a Rainbow Trout heading up the little rapids. It was a good size, with most of it's body out of the water and struggling to get up the stony rapids which were only about 2inches deep. Young Mike took of after it with a shovel chasing it up the rapids, he finally got it and brought it back to show us....yes it was a good size alright. Mike put it in the water of our swimming hole to keep while we were working, anything would keep in that water for ever!! I think are deep freezer at home was warmer than that pool, it was taken home by Mike and graced the dinner table that night. Who says you can't have fun at work???
Remind me never to pick on a Hokitika guy.
I was in Springfield at the time my mate ( who was living in Anat ) came to me at 8am on a Saturday morning and asked me to go to the local Pub with him. Dave W was his name, I said Dave it's a bit early why the rush? He said he wanted to go for a beer...so who am I to argue with that and being a good mate we went...me just to keep him company you understand!! The Publican was still cleaning out the Bar and restocking the chiller when we arrived, we were told to go in and pour ourselves a drink and he would be there shortly. We poured our drinks and then set up to play pool after a time Dave said what time is it? I said 8.30am and we carried on playing pool. Dave kept asking me the time about every 1/2 hr or so!! Lunch time came and went and we were still drinking and playing pool, around 2.30pm the Police came and went straight to Dave W they questioned Dave and asked him where was he this morning. Dave said here drinking and playing pool with me, the Police asked me if that was true? and I said yes, the Publican chipped in and said they were here at 8am and had not left the Bar. The Police left....I knew some thing was up when Dave kept asking me the time every 1/2 hour or so, I said out with it Dave what is going on? Dave said do you know when I took the Shearing Gang over to Aussie about 4 years ago? I said yes there was a bit of strife over the Kiwi Shearers being in Aussie. Dave said well when he went over and took the Gang he had to leave his wife behind with their kids for about 19 months, ( Dave's wife is a tall very pretty and shapely young lady ) It seems that the next door neighbour tried to jump the fence, and when he was told to bugger off got very nasty with Dave's wife. It seems that he made life quite bad for her while Dave was gone, Dave's wife kept contacting Dave to tell him what the neighbour was doing to her and the kids. To day.... it seems that the neighbour was living beyond his means and was mortgaged up to the hilt, it appears he needed this crop of wheat he had to be harvested and that would take some pressure of him. BUT the crop went up in smoke ( some how ) and Dave was blamed for it....that was why the cunning bugger had me go to the Pub with him. I was told that there were several ways to set fire to a wheat field without leaving a trace!! One would be to place right smack in the middle of the ready and ripe crop an AG jar turned upside down and placed over a candle with enough dry material around the bottom to keep the AG jar off the ground to protect flame from wind or breeze, candle burn down and set dry material alight nature does the rest. Flames take over and spread from the centre of the crop and burn out in a ring like fashion, the candle burns away so there is NO sign of it and the heat causes the AG jar to break and that would look like and old jar that had been reflecting the sun onto the crop!!! I saw Dave again 2 months later and he told me that the Neighbour had lost every thing to the bank, and he had a mate come and pick up what furniture he could and help them shift. As he drove past Dave and his wife, Dave yelled to him one word (GOTCHA). Dave came from Hokitika.....so you out there don't mess with Hokitika guys it may take a while but they will get you. Dave said he waited 3.1/2 years to get even!!
When I was 15 I took a trip to the Arawhata Valley South Westland to go Deer Shooting with Rod R, I took the plane the old Domina ( Double winger plane ) from Hokitika to Haast then was picked up by Jeff H and flown up the valley to where Rod was, in a small single winger plane. I looked out of the plane and Jeff said to me there is Rod down there, all I could see was the river and a little stony bank...being that high up the bank looked like a sandy bank and I thought it would be okay to land there ( wouldn't IT?? ) Jeff brought the plane around and we dropped lower, and the lower we went the bigger the sand grew until it was small rocks. I thought shit is he going to land on that small bank?? well we did, and one wheel was in the waters edge and the other on the rocks. Rod came out of the bush and we loaded 5 deer into the Plane, Rod told Jeff to take me up to the top hut and drop me off as it was a 12 hour walk away with the pack horses. Well Rod turned that thing around and gunned it, the wheels were touching the river as we took off and started to climb. Gathering height we headed up river...Jeff pointed out where the top hut was and I thought shit hear we go again there is no place to land!!!!! Jeff flew up the river a way and we banked steeply and dropped down close to the river ( I knew we were close to the river as my seat was warm & wet ) Coming down the river there was a group of trees protruding out into the river, so the river was forced to go around the trees but came back in again on the other side like a horse shoe shape.
I looked at Jeff because these bloody trees were getting closer all the time, and he did not look like he was going to change course, and I am dam sure the trees weren't going to move for us. Then Jeff yelled "HANG ON" what bloody too I wanted to know!! Jeff gunned that little plane until every nut and bolt was shaking ( Or maybe it was just me?? ) We left the river and headed over the trees the wheels just tipping the tops of the trees and then Jeff cut the engine....Well shit would be the right word for it and a few more besides, now I know what the word frozen stiff means. ( If you ever come across that little aircraft, you will see finger imprints in the steel frame of the seat and large boot prints pushed into the metal floor, and there will be a large BROWN STAIN on the seat )
When Jeff cut the engine we dropped like a stone on the other side of the trees, just before hitting the ground he started it up again and we landed on the grass slope on an angle. I could not explain how we got there as my eyes were the size of plates not saucers, after stopping and turning the craft around Jeff turned to me and said how was that? It took me a long time for my eyes to focus and get words into my mouth as my stomach was still up there with my teeth. Getting out of the plane was a mission as my legs were like rubber and I had this wet sticky feeling around the backside area.
I watched Jeff turn the plane around and take off, he waggled the wings at me and that was the last time I saw him for a couple of months. He flew supplies into us that he picked up from Hokitika, the deer went to the Haast freezing works and then Jeff would fly up to Hokitika bank the money and draw some out and shop for us and fly it back in when he came to pick up more deer.
When it was time to leave Jeff flew me out to the Haast, I had no money so I worked at the Haast Freezing works until I earn enough to buy a ticket to Hokitika on the old double winger. Fantastic Time I had there and free....What a fantastic Country we have. The thing I liked about NZ and mainly the West Coast was that as long as you were honest and trustworthy every one respected you for that and they would help in any way they could....prove you are an ASS'ole and you are on your own!!
I was around 44 years of age when my Father Ron Scott and I sat down to have a little drink together ( over a bottle of whisky ) Mum and Dad were in Blenheim then.
I said to Dad what made you come to NZ to live. ( Dad's story )
Well Son as you know I was in the Royal Engineers in the British Army ( Sappers ) we were in North Africa where we had a contingent of Kiwis attached to us, we thought at the time how the hell are we going to look after this mob it was hard enough looking after ourselves? The Kiwis were dressed in ill fitting cloths, were always smoking, drinking and playing cards when they saluted it looked like they were brushing flys away and when they talked to their officers they called them by their first names. Any of those rules you broke in the British Army you would be SHOT, but not the NZ Army. That is why we thought we would have to look after them, they seemed like they would not be able to look after themselves at all. How wrong we were for when the fighting started you made sure you cuddled up to a Kiwi them blokes knew how to fight and they were dam good.
When the war was over and we were demobbed back in England we all went back to our jobs.
( Dad was a Carpenter, Joiner, Cabinet Maker and Builder )
He said that even after a month of hard work and working two jobs, him and Mum, they still could not come right. They still owed a quid at the end of the month, times were hard, and I came along in 1946 my sister in 1949. Dad read a paper where they were asking Trades people to go to NZ to Immigrate there, Dad thought about the Kiwis in the war, and thought if that country is only half as good as those men it will be a mighty country. He approached Mum about the idea....poor old Mum being a Devon lass thought New Zealand was another town just down the road a bit and asked Dad if we could come home weekends. Dad said No lass once we are gone we wont be back. We arrived in NZ from England on the TSS Captain Cook in 1953 landing at Wellington first, It was blowing a gale and raining very heavy. A lot stayed on the Captain Cook and went home again....they didn't even get off the dam ship. We were loaded onto the Cook Straight ferry and taken to Tasman Hostel at Lyttelton Harbour in the South Island. We were only supposed to stay for 9 months max, but Mum being a great cook and Dad doing all the building maintenance we were aloud to stay for 18 months, after that time we shifted to Oxford Terrace in Christchurch only for a short time. Next move was to Otira in 1955-56 but only stayed there for 6 months then on to Greymouth, Dad worked for Rathburn Construction Company and after a time went out on his own. I went back to Otira twice after that once in 1963 and again married in 1968 shifted to Springfield around 1974.
True to his word both Mum & Dad never went back to England and are permanent Kiwis laid to rest in Blenheim.
Dad said it was the best move he and Mum had ever made ....thanks to the Kiwi Guys in North Africa.
Being in the track gang at Otira was a mission on it's own, you did not know when you were going to be called out for Snow, Slips, Floods and Derailments.....it was all in the lap of the Gods...and so were we at times!!!
On one particular night we were called out to a derailment at Arthur's Pass, we managed to get a bit of a crew together to go over in the Bedford bus ( The Green Beetle ) A fellow called Himi jumped into the drivers seat and said he would drive over the Otira Gorge, now Himi only drove the bus on the flat roads.....driving over the Gorge was another matter all together. I tried to talk Himi out of it as he had never driven over this terrain before, I mentioned to Himi that we had 13 men on board and at least 15 ton of equipment in the back compartment of the bus. "NO" Himi was still going to drive...so off we went, we got to the first steep bit with a hair pin bend in it. Himi had taken the bus too far over to the right hand side of the road so as to take the sharp corner, and ended up in the loose shingle on that side of the road. Himi tried to get the bus into a lower gear, in the meantime stopping the bus to engage the lower gear. With the weight of the men and tools and the loose gravel underneath, the bus started to slide backwards down the hill slowly but enough to put the most hardened man on board to have sweaty palms. There was a lot of yelling and blokes standing up telling Himi to open the frigging door, Himi normally a dark colour was now like one of us pure white.....only we were getting whiter as well. I reached over and pulled the door leaver to open the escape hatch ( you would be amazed at the amount of men that can get through a narrow door way all at once) when all out I eased Himi out of the drivers seat and took his place, I was the only silly bugger left on the bus, even Himi got out....I wasn't looking but I think he was first out the open door. All the men stood at the side of the road and looked on while I brought the Green Beatles onto solid road again and went around the next hairpin and waited for the men to get aboard.....I could here them telling Himi what they thought of him and his driving. When driving up the Otira Zig Zags you had to use up both sides of the road to get the bus around the hairpin bends, any one coming down would wait on a straight piece so they could pass you safety.....no way in the wide world could they pass you on the corners ( Any one having driven over the Otira Gorge will know exactly what I am talking about ). We arrived at the Yard in Arthur's Pass and set too to replace the wagons that had come off the tracks, we arrived at around 10pm that night and left the yard at 2am next morning. Driving back down the Zig Zags to Otira, every one was asleep except for a bloke we called Scruffy. He was in the seat behind me, he got his name scruffy because he always wore the bib overalls night and day and always had a mop of brown /black hair that looked like it had never seen a comb. Now Scruffy was in the seat right behind the driver, and as we went down to the first hairpin bend.....I had to drive as far right as I could so I could get the Ass end of the bus around. When doing that the headlights of the bus shone into black space because there is no road ( we are turning a corner about 1000' up)
The only time I could see the road is by looking through the glass panel at the bottom of the door, on the left side of the bus.....I had to keep the white centre line on the left side and in site at all times and when the we came to a little straight the lights came back onto the road again. ( That was on a left turn Hairpin corner ) Go along the little straight and then I had my head out the window to see around the right hand Hairpin, if I took it to short the Ass end of the bus would be off into space. Now as I said little Scruffy was behind me "WIDE AWAKE", and as I turned around these corners with the lights shining into nothingness, there was this very loud sucking in air noise and when I straightened the bus out on a straight piece of road there was this very noisy expelling of air. This went on until we hit the bottom of the Gorge, Scruffy told me he was shit scared the whole trip and how could I see to drive there was nothing but blackness. Scruffy never went on the bus again over the Gorge he always went by jigger through the Otira tunnel. Himi never ventured to drive over the Gorge either.....maybe it was the fact that NO one would go with him if he did drive. It was not long after this that all driving was stopped going over the Gorge with Railway Buses.
Fun and games had by all in and around Otira every hour of every day??
This is just a little play around by me, I altered a few things.....To all those that knew Miss O'Grady at Grey Main. God Bless her for putting up with me.
MY DADDY SLEEPS NAKED
"Late again!" Miss O'Grady the third-grade teacher sternly said to little Trevor.
"It ain't my fault this time, Miss O'Grady. You can blame this 'un on my Daddy.
The reason I'm three hours late is my Daddy sleeps naked!"
Now, Miss O'Grady had taught grammar school for thirty-some-odd years. Despite her mounting fears, she asked little Trevor what he meant by that. Full of grins and mischief, and in the flower of his youth, little Trevor and trouble were old friends,...... But he always told her the truth.
"You see, Miss O'Grady, out at the farm we got this here low down fox.
The last few nights, he done ate six hens.
Last night, when Daddy heard a noise out in the chicken pen, he grabbed his double barrelled shot gun and said to my Ma, "That fox is back again... I'm a gonna git him!'' "Stay back," Daddy whispered to all us kids!
"My Daddy was naked as a jaybird -- no boots, no pants, no shirt! To the hen house he crawled, just like an Injun on the snoop. Then, he stuck that double-barrelled 12-gauge shotgun through the window of the coop. As he stared into the darkness, with a fox on his mind, our old hound dog, Rip, had done gone and woke up and comes sneaking up behind Daddy. Then, as we all looked on, plumb helpless, old Rip done went and stuck his cold nose in my Daddy's crack!"
"Miss O'Grady, we all been pluckin' chickens since three o'clock this mornin!"
That sure reflects some of the things I used to get up to when I was younger and growing up..Like!! I got into trouble with Ms O'Grady when I climbed onto the Classroom roof to retrieve a ball...I had to go and sit in the corner for a while. With the words "YOU COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF YOU FELL"!! I am still alive today and I sure as hell did worse things than that. Do you remember the park just opposite the memorial swimming baths in Greymouth?? I was trying to catch the Bootlaces ( Very Young Eels ) in the Creek that ran through the park. One afternoon there was a group of kids playing rugby, one of them kicked the ball right into the top of the tall Pines Trees that were beside the creek. They stood there looking up into the trees and it seemed the ball was wedged up there, no one was going to go up and get it as it was to far and dangerous, so they started to walk away. That was until some daring idiot volunteered to climb up and get it for them, every one was telling me that it was to high to climb and I was to young to try it. I walked towards the trees and some one had to give me a boost up so I could get to the first branch, once I started to climb I had to climb around the tree as I went up, as the branches were off set. I reached the ball very near the top of the tree, it was a dam good kick to get it that high, it was wedged between the two branches and it would have been a long time for it to come down on it's own. I struggled for a while using one hand as the other hand was clinging to the top branch holding the ball, finally I worked it loose and parting the branch ends threw the ball down to the guys waiting. By this time it was starting to get dark as I climbed very carefully down the tree, marvellous how every thing is so different going down as to going up, in places I had to swing my whole body into nothingness just to land on the next lower branch. ( I swear some one changed the structure of that tree once I had gone up ) I finally hit the ground, as I had to jump from the last lower branch onto firm ground again. The guys were waiting for me and to thank me for retrieving their Rugby Ball, never did catch their names....or see them again...as I can remember. But I do know I had a 5 mile hike in front of me to get home to PAROA
Interesting years growing up, I knew everything and wouldn't listen...( Know it all ) boy was I in for a shake up. We were getting rid of some sitting room furniture...good old solid stuff, two solid chairs and a sofa.
I had a talk with Jeff Hindle and he said he wanted to exchange his sitting room suit for ours, so Dad & loaded up the old 1939 Ford Truck with a long wooden deck with our sitting room suit to take to Otira and swap with Jeff's suit. The trip up uneventful and we duly exchanged the furniture, now while driving all the way up one gets thirsty and not into drinking water unless it has been fermented, I set too to get rid of this raging thirst at the Otira Pub before heading back to Greymouth. I must have been there some time as Jeff had finished work, went home changed, and came down to see me at the Pub. He wanted a lift back to Greymouth...seems he had to attend a course in Greymouth to do with Train Examining, I said okay so we had a couple more to seal the deal. Going outside to get into the truck Jeff said aren't you going to tie the furniture down? I said it came up okay so should go back okay. What I didn't realise was that Dad's furniture was very heavy and solid and did not move at all on the way up, Jeff's was a lighter more modern type suit. Well we took off from Otira Pub and headed towards Jacksons. Arriving at Jacksons ....by this time after 7pm, we decided to say Hi to Tom Reece the publican and have a couple of his famous Possum & Blueberry Pies, and some thing to wash it down with. We left there after 8pm and headed towards Greymouth again, at a place near Rocky Point the dual wheels of the truck got caught in the low water drain and dragged us into the rock face. We crashed, but not to bad as we could still drive. Jeff was hobbling around and I asked him if he was okay? he had a hole in his leg 1/2 way between the thigh and the knee. It seems that on impact he went forward and got the window winder handle jammed into his leg causing a gash, we patched him up and carried on to Greymouth. We got Jeff seen too and I headed home with a battered truck, and next morning Dad woke me up and said is that all we get back after swapping furniture? I dressed very gently and went out into the blinding light of day...with a VERY dry mouth and could hardly speak. There on the back of the truck was one settee!!!! the two chairs no where to be seen!!! I managed to get out that there was two chairs some where between Greymouth and Otira, and then I was jolted back to earth with a description from Dad about the rearrangement of the 1939 Ford front!! What the Bloody Hell do you think you are playing at?? asked my Dad, after my explanation ( That I could remember ) I was grounded for a week and made to pay for the fixing of the truck. We caught up with Jeff some time later and fond out where one chair was at least, it seems the chair came off the truck on the way to Jacksons and landed upright in the middle of the road still all in one piece. Some fellows heading back to Otira from the Jacksons Pub came across it in the middle of the road, so finding it they were exchanging turns sitting in it having a drink. I was told that they put it to the side of the road when they had finished using it and left it there...it was never seen again. In the end Dad & Mum bought a new Sitting room Suit, Jeff's leg healed up okay leaving a large scar( Which he tells people, he was attacked by a Shark while out swimming ) The old red 1939 Ford truck I used to take to Dances, and when parked at night you had to leave the side lights on. Well meaning friends saw the lights on and thought I had forgotten to turn them off....so they would turn them off. By the time I came to take a young lady home, there would be a ticket under the window wipers. This happened so many times and I had so many tickets to pay, I even parked it under a street light, but no still got a ticket. You see the electrical system of the truck was 6 VOLT only and there fore drained the battery very quickly......just sitting there that truck cost me a small fortune, no wonder the Traffic Department could afford new Patrol cars after I paid for all my tickets. Now am older and some what wiser???
It was a tough life living in Otira, some thing always cropped up unexpected.
Like the time we were all drinking away quite merrily in the Pub around 8pm when this young fellow walked in tired and thirsty, I started up conversation with him to find out where he had come from. He told us that him and his mate were coming over from Christchurch to go to Greymouth, I asked him why didn't he come in for a drink? He told me that they had run off the road at the top of the Gorge and he had walked on to get help, he was very shaken up and his mind was all over the place. Don MacKenzie was there with a few others, Don went to the Cops place and got him, and we got the tow truck from the petrol station. We all went up in the Police car and tow truck, we were shown the area where the car had gone over the edge. It must have rolled a few times as it was about 100 feet down the bank and the only thing that stopped it going over the edge was a huge boulder it had come to rest against on its side. Jock Tuari and I went down on ropes as it was too steep to climb down on your own steam, I said to Jock to be bloody careful as there was a double barrelled shot gun aimed straight at us jammed in the earth. We reached the car and went inside it, was pretty spooky as we only had the search light from the tow truck trained on the car. The young fellow was sitting up on the back passenger side window, with his back against the boulder.
He was cold to the touch and no pulse in his neck. So I tried to shift him so we could put the rope around him to get him on the top of the overturned car, that was when I got a hell of a shock....even though it had been about 2 hrs the back of the body was quite warm. It seems the rock had held the heat from his body, where he had come to rest against it. We finally got the young man to the road and he was taken away, the rest of us headed back to Otira and you guessed it......The Pub.
Another day in the life of Otira!!
Trevor Scott I used to work for Fred Bailey at Bailey & Neville's (spelling) we used to do deliveries from Mawhera Quay all over Greymouth, Fruit & Veg Auctions were held there at the Depot and then we used to deliver to the shops. Old Fred NEVER stopped us taking fruit and eating it....his idea was that if we stopped staff eating the fruit they would start taking it when no one was looking. Every Friday night after work all the staff got a banana box of fruit and veggies to take home, after I had been there for 3 months old Fed said to me here Trevor have an apple, I replied with no thank you Fred. He said to me thank God for that, you are the longest person we had working here that kept on eating the fruit....we thought you would never stop. I hardly had anything after that, it was there if I wanted it ....but after the big feast for 3 months I went off it. I liked Old Fred, I came into the depot one morning and Fred was there talking to another man. Fred said to me Trevor your fired....I thought what the hell have I done? so I walked through to the Tudor Café where old Charlie owned it but worked part time with Fred. I told Charlie Fred sacked me for no reason, Charlie said that's not like Fred ...I will go and ask him. I had a cup of Coffee Charlie gave to me, and when he came back he said Fred wanted to see me urgently. Fronting up to Fred he said where have you been? you have deliveries to do get to it. I said but you sacked me Fred!! he said that was because that was the Labour Union Guy checking to see if all drivers are in the Union, I was not, as Fred was paying me over the odds and the free Veggie and Fruit at the end of the week. 6 months later I walked into the Depot and Fred was talking to this man...Fred looked up and Trevor your fired, I said okay and went into the Tudor Café for a coffee. Waited a while then went back to work again....in all I think I was fired about 4 times!!!! Yes I liked old Fred.
I was in Christchurch one DAY ( Sat ) to see a Mate, and we went for a few drinks in the Addington Hotel. I went into the pub around 4pm and settled into some quiet drinking with my 5oz glass, waiting for my Mate to arrive after 5pm. He came through the door at 5 past 5pm, along with about several hundred others. I have never seen such a circus in all my life, my Mate ordered 5 Jugs and two 8oz glasses came over to where I was sitting and started to fill and down these 8oz beers...I helped also. I was wondering what all the rush was about and said so, I was told the pub closes at 6pm so we try and drink as much as possible. Well I can tell you, a young 18 year old from the Coast used to quiet drinking and enjoying the drink, was not used to the Fiasco. As the time got closer to the deadline 6pm, the faster the pace, next thing I saw was people drinking straight from the jug. As at 6pm a DAM buzzer came on and kept on until the last person left the bar at 6.15pm, going out side people were bringing up beer and froth into the guttering. I thought that was it my Mate took off home in his car and I went straight to the Railway Station and caught the next Railcar home to the Coast, as luck would have it Lou Grant was the guard so I had a free ride. Lou always had a supply of refreshment in his bag, and him and I sat at the empty driver compartment at the opposite end of the railcar and partook into some refreshment, at a steady and sensible pace. He stopped the railcar opposite the Otira hotel, where I got off and went up to the pub across the tracks. The Railcar carried on to the Refreshment room, I stayed at the hotel until well into the early hours enjoying sensible drinking, good company and a good game of darts. "AH They were the days.....It was not long after that, when Lou won the 25,000pound Golden Kiwi. After that experience with 6 O'clock SWILL I could well understand why so many came to the Coast for a Weekend of ENJOYMENT!!!
Trevor Scott Well we were down Tekapo way doing a live shoot with 25Lb guns, 31 & 32 Battery along with Headquarters Battery. ( I may have said this before ) we were out in the field all day and around 2.30pm 0r 3pm there seemed to be a big supply of cans of beer arrive in the field I think it was around 2/- a can!! All the other gun crews were into it and having a great time, I had a talk with my gun crew ( as I was Gun Sargent ) and said to them they could sit out here and drink booze, or get the gun cleaned up, head back to camp, give the gun a quick flick and wrap it up for the night and they would be free until next day. They elected to get the Gun cleaned and head back to Base, we did that and when we got back to Base we give it a quick flick over to get the travel dust off it. All the other major parts were cleaned out in the field, and the barrel cleaned and plugged. Once done I said that it boys the night is yours see you tomorrow, they all took off. I went and had a shower and changed and headed to the Sargent's mess, after about 1 1/2 hours I was called to the tent entrance where one of my gunners stood. He promptly told me that a Lieutenant from another gun company had rounded up my crew to go and help his crew to clean all the Guns, in my book that was a NO NO. I don't give a dam who it was, so I went to find my crew and got them into a marching squad ready to March back to the mess tents. Along came this Lieutenant fellow and showing signs that he had partaken in a few, this was around 8pm and the gun crews had only just come in. He ordered me and my men to help with the cleaning, I pointed out to him that my men had cleaned their own gun, did not have any drinks in the field, and I had given them the night off. Well he got angry and started to wave his hands around, I told the squad to about face and motioned the Lieutenant to follow me behind the tents, he was still sounding off at me wanting my name and number for further reprimands. So I thought what the hell in for a penny in for a pound....It would NOT look good for me to tell my men that they had to go and clean up some one else's shit because they were to drunk to do it themselves. I had given my word and that is my bond, so I hit the bugger and down he went and lay there very quiet. I went back onto the road and about faced the troops and marched them off, reaching the mess area I bid them a good night and went back to the Sargent's mess. The Military Police came to get me......But I am sure Tiny Hill told them I wasn't going anywhere so could be arrested in the morning. I faced the Commanding Officer and he asked me what happened, I told him the truth and exactly as it happened, I got a weeks CB ( Confined to Barracks ) loss of pay for a week and busted back to Bombardier
BUT I still had the respect of the men, and had my stripes back within the month. That Lieutenant always gave me a wide birth after that........
Tiny Hill was a top man was our Tiny, I was told there was no place on the parade ground for a Staff Sargent, so I thought that's for me. So I sat the required exams just for that, the last thing I had to do was march a squad of 8 people as if on a parade ground to see if I could control the squad. Now it was a stinking hot day in Burnham Camp and I was in the old sandpaper suits ( it was supposed to be winter ) and also I was suffering from the night before. There I was yelling instructions to the squad, left wheel, right wheel, double march and all that stuff when my throat went very dry. Not a squeak came out of my mouth and the squad were marching further away, I just threw my hands in the air and said stuff it. I didn't know Tiny had crept up behind me to watch me in action, Tiny picked up what was happening to me and let out a mighty "SQUAD HALT" I must have gone about 6'' in the air with fright, on landing there was Tiny a big grin all over his face. He said what's the matter Coaster? I replied that he would be the biggest most useless Bastard God ever Created and that he could have given me a heart attach. I told him I was crook from last night, Tiny looked at his watch and said it'd nearly 12pm....just work the squad here for 5 minutes and come up to the Sargent's Mess, and he would have a beer on the bar for me. At 5 to 12pm I told every one to disperse and took off to the Mess, going through the doors at the Mess I spotted this pint pot sitting on the bar...just been filled and had the froth slowly running down the side of the glass, beads of moisture were all over the glass and light seem to shine on the Pint making it look like some thing from heaven. It looked like it was on a pedestal with the light shining on it, it was beckoning to me to sip the life blood of the pint. My hand slid into the handle and I lifted the pint to my lips and swallowed, I swear there was steam arising from my neck as the cool liquid flowed down to rescue my body. I smacked my lips on completion of the wonder-us Task and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, leaning against the wall beside me was another Sargent and he said to me....Did you enjoy that? I said fantastic, Then he said to me that was my beer!!! I told him I was very sorry and that Tiny said he would have a beer on the bar for me. I offered to buy him one and he said NO, it was worth it just to watch my face when I was drinking it. I looked around and there was Tiny at a leaner bar pointing to a glass, and laughing with tears in his eyes. He reckoned it was the best thing he had seen for a long time. Never did get the crown to go over the stripes???
Tiny had to make a trip into Addington Barracks one day and made the fatal mistake of asking me to be his driver ( After all I was the Sargent in charge of the Headquarters Battery Vehicles at the time) So away we went, this was around 2pm in the Afternoon, arriving at Addington Barracks Tiny sort after the Camp Commandant. Tiny introduced me to the Camp Commandant and told the Commandant I was the wild West Coaster, immediately the Commandant asked me if I could play 45's a card game from the Coast? I replied that I could. I was asked if I could teach him the game....I replied sure but you have to play it for money that way you learn faster, he agreed. Tiny sad we wont have time as we had to get back to Burnham. Commandant said nonsense Tiny I can fix that and then got on the phone to the CO at Burnham, we were told that we can leave tomorrow morning. Well Tiny did his thing at Addington and we were all finished by 5pm then into the mess ( I do not recall paying for a single drink that night ) we started to play cards after Dinner and then into the 45's at around 10pm. We played until 4am and the Commandant could not get over the fact that you could re-neg on a card and play straight back a card you had just trumped, we had a great time and I won a fair bit of money. Tiny cut out around 12am as he was getting broke, we went to bed around 4,30am up at 7am breakfast at 8am and started to head back to Burnham Camp. On the way back Tiny looked at me and said that is the last bloody time you are my Batman Coaster, where ever you go it's trouble with you. Tiny was true to his word I never drove for him again, we still had the odd one or drinks together before I went to Waiouru.....That is another whole heap of stories!!!
Trevor Scott When I was learning to Pan for Gold in Dillmanstown, the Old miner teaching me, told me about a bloke called Dynamite Dan. This Dan fellow had his office at the pub, so if you needed a job done you went to the Pub to get him to do the blasting job. After blasting Dan would go back to the bar and wait for the next job, if Dan did a job for you, there was a weeks grace to pay him in. After that he would come looking for you. One particular minor ( as the story goes ) had some tree stumps blown and huge boulders blown, after the job done Dan went back to the Pub. This Miner never came to pay what he owed Dan...so after two weeks, the miner called Dan, went looking for this person, It seems there was a lot of arguing and Dan was not paid. A week later this miners shed was blown up, and every thing he owned was in the shed blown to bits. The Police were notified, and Dan was pointed out as the person who did it, the Police were told to go and arrest him. The Policeman said that his House was all in one piece, and that was the way it was going to stay. Dan was never arrested for that, and any work he did in the area was paid up in the required time by the miners. That was just one story told to me by the Old Timer in 1959.
Trevor Scott ...At the back of Cobden's Kell's Hotel Early in the Morning,,,,,,,as the sun was not shining, I spied a fair Maiden. (No sorry that was a song) it Was very early when the Police raided, I went up the hill at the back of the Pub after it had rained for a long time. I nearly reached the bush when I slipped and came down on my elbows and knees, I had on my brand new suit from Hallenstines in Greymouth. When I hit the bottom there was a polished pair of boots in front of me, I followed the crease up the the blue trousers to a Jacket with gold metal buttons, and up to a stern face with a lovely helmet on the head. He looked at me and said what have I got to say about being there? I replied that I have just ruined a $40 quid suit and only a week old. He laughed and told me to get home as he was not going to charge me, I had paid enough by ruining the suit!! I thought he was pretty good ...as he could have rubbed salt into the wound by charging me on top of the suit!!
Trevor Scott We had a young Police Officer come to Otira, a few days back now, around 1973-4. He was going to do what no other Police Officer had ever done, and that was train the people and have the pub close on time. Well as you can imagine the Locals did not take kindly to that, so a vendetta started. The Family of the Police eventually had to leave Otira as things were getting to tough for them, the Cop had broken glass on the seat of his car. So when he jumped in he cut himself, then all sorts of things started to happen to him. He was the one that was going to destroy Old Mary's Stag she brought up from a fawn, down by the Taipo River. Well anyway he told me he would straighten out the town one way or the other, I left in 1974 and went to Springfield to work. I came back to Otira about 6 months later and went to the Pub ( Still Open after hours). I went in and low and behold who should be serving behind the bar ....YEP our local Cop, I went up to the bar to order a drink and he looked at me and said. DON'T you say a bloody word Trevor, I just smiled as I told him a long time ago he would NOT be able to change the people.......he was the one and said you watch me!!!
Trevor Scott My old Mate Wally Bachelor used to work for the Ministry of works grading the old road ( Going back a bit now ) there was no such thing as measurements or lineament. Wally would grade the corner to what he thought it should be, drive back to his car get in and drive around the corner at the required speed or faster. Get his grader and take a bit more off the corner, Wally would do that until he was satisfied that he could go around the corner at a good speed and feel safe and the car handled well. Old Wally was very good at his job, that was a few years back now. Wally and I drove from Fox Township to Greymouth for Fish and Chips one morning arriving Greymouth around 4am. Then back to the Fox again!!.....Oh to be young again!!
Trevor Scott's parent had the Brightwater Hotel and Trevor was put in charge... Once.
We had an old fellow that lived by the bridge at Brightwater called Sandy Walker, Sandy would come to the Pub every day and stay a while. He came in one morning and said Trev your pigs are our out and way down the road, Rosy the mother had 9 weaners and they were around 6 months at this stage, Sandy said he was not going to help me get them in it was all up to me. I went out onto the road and I could see them heading to the bridge towards Stoke way, I let out a long loud whistle one stopped and looked back but the others kept going. I whistled again and I heard a squeal from him and he started to race back....the others stopped on hearing his squeal turned and started to race back. It was the same whistle I use when feeding them beer before cleaning the hoses & Guns. Old Sandy just stood there, he couldn't believe what was happening, the weaners came back and run through the hole in the fence and lined up at the trough waiting for their beer. All I could get out of Sandy was I just don't bloody well believe it. I did go and feed them a bucket of beer and fixed the fence. Old Sandy told everyone that came into the pub what happened. The life of a Bartender!!
When we had the pub at Brightwater, a bloke came in and said to me give me a beer ( I had not long been out of the Army at this stage ) so I poured him an 8oz and said that will be 9pence please, he laughed and said to me I said GIVE me a beer and you did. Well I walked around to the flap and was lifting the flap up to sort this smart bugger out when my Dad came into the bar picking his teeth from lunch, he could see something was not right straight away and asked me what was going on. I told him this smart bugger was not paying for his drink and explained why. Dad said to the man did you say give me a beer to the barman? and the bloke said yes. Dad looked at me and said he is right he said give and you have to give....if he says give me another beer give it to him, but let me know how many he has. Then he left.....Now Old Sandy noticed all the goings on and decided he wanted part of this free action, s Sandy yells out to me Hey Trev GIVE me a beer.... Reluctantly I did. After about an hour Dad comes back and I told him Sandy has done the same thing as this bloke, Dad asked this stranger if he was going to pay for the beers he has had....the reply no way. So Dad says to him in that case here is a bill for your time in my Hotel, it came to 5 Pound. He went off his tree and asked what it was all for, Dad showed him the account and said it is all itemized and will stand up in Court. He paid up angrily and said he was going to Wakefield and would never come back, Dad said if you are going up there take this 10 shilling note and buy the owner a beer from Ron & Eileen at Brightwater Hotel and you have one yourself....this fellow did not know what to make of Dad but took it and away he went. Dad looked at me and asked if anyone else did the same thing I looked at Sandy who had been taking all this in and yelled Trevor you didn't take for my last drinks!! Sandy never pulled a trick on me again and the other fellow came back after a month with a 1 Pound note from the Wakefield Hotel owner Dad shared it with the messenger and he became a very good customer.....with no more tricks I might add.
You know how it used to rain in Otira Richie? well I was standing by the window in the pub with a glass in my hand looking at the rain falling. It came down so darn hard that it bounced about a Meter back up again, a bloke standing next to me said it was the first time he had seen it rain twice. Then he asked me how many inches a year does it fall in Otira? I said go and ask Rolly Parker at the bar, he will be able to tell you as he works for the Hydro. Mr Parker how many inches of rain fall in Otira? Rolly was just about to take a drink and looked at the young fellow and said "INCHES BOY" "INCHES" we don't measure in inches here, we measure in feet. Yearly rainfall for Otira catchment is around 17 feet plus a year, you want inches go and work it out. That was Rolly for you....Remember him Richie?
Trevor Scott I went to the recruiting office of the Army and they sent me to the Dr for the Check up, my Mate Richie went and they told him NO as he had some sort of foot trouble ...yet he walked miles over Hill & Dale with no effects what ever. Now me I was not long out of Hospital...so went to see the Dr, Barry Dallas Knocked on the door and heard COME IN, I still had my hand on the door knob when he said to me from across the room, can you hear me? I said yes, Can you see me? I said yet, then he said your in!! It took me a long time to get my body back to shape and the Army did help even though I was very sore for a long time.
We used to get the Salmon on the spawn by the Mount White Bridge just before Arthurs Pass, there was 4 of us with 22 rifles waist deep in cold water looking for the Salmon with the most shiny body ( stomach ). Then we would put the rifle close to the head and shoot, Salmon just concussed with the blast. pick it up and put into sack. We all had spotlights then, one night while doing this a big spotlight came on us and a voice said I know who you are out there. ( It was the Ranger ) I yelled back no you don't John....with that the big spotlight went out. A month later in the Otira pub a hand grabbed my shoulder, and a voice said you owe me a beer Trevor!! without looking around I said fair enough John. John asked me how many did we get? I told him 9 big ones and we shared it with the Locals in the Otira Village. John replied that he did not mind the locals as they knew what they were doing and shared...what he didn't like was Christchurch people coming up and blowing hell out of everything and leaving them to die.
ContributorTrevor ScottDate of story eventsBetween 1st January 1970 and 31st December 1970Map[1]
West Coast New Zealand History (29th Dec 2018). West Coast Humour from Trevor Scott. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 19th Mar 2026 06:48, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/11892