Spectrum 069. Men of kauri country. Part 1

Rights Information
Year
1974
Reference
31423
Media type
Audio
Ask about this item

Ask to use material, get more information or tell us about an item

Rights Information
Year
1974
Reference
31423
Media type
Audio
Duration
00:29:53
Credits
RNZ Collection
Swindell, Laurie (b.1914?, d.2009), Producer
Gasparich, Joseph George, 1890-1985, Speaker/Kaikōrero

Spectrum was a long-running weekly radio documentary series which captured the essence of New Zealand from 1972 to 2016. Alwyn Owen and Jack Perkins produced the series for many years, creating a valuable library of New Zealand oral history.

Bush Camps of New Zealand’s far North.

Joe Gasparich interviewed by Laurie Swindell, spent his youth in New Zealand’s Far North, later becoming a school teacher and inspector of primary schools, now retired, in 1973, he recalls his time in his beloved Kauri country.

In Part 1, Joe talks about one of his earliest recollections upon coming to the Kaihū Valley in 1892. Hearing a great tree falling, seeing the swaying as it did so. Going to the landings and seeing the great logs ready to be taken away by train, noting the men, their skills with the tools and ability to improvise in any situation.

Joe describes kauri having great straight trunks varying in size according to age some up to 16 or 17 feet in diameter and 60 to 70 feet before the first branch. With more slender trees at the bottom of gully, being 125 feet before branching, how they were 'clean and straight as could be' with thick grey bark giving them their distinctive appearance. Stands of hundreds were packed closely together, giving them a cathedral-like feeling with occasional shafts of light.

Joe remembers the men of these bush gangs were big, strong, healthy, trustworthy and loyal to each other. He talks of their boss, the working hours, how they would all 'down tools' and rally to an injured man. How they worked in teams of eight, in relay, to carry their fellow out through uncut bush without stopping. Joe believes that these men would do the same in the Great War, making them the best soldiers.

Joe talks about Basket Socials and the men’s generosity, living close to their work site and the construction of the bush camps. The materials used for the hut, bedding and fireplace. The camp ovens, camp bread and the importance of the cooks; their food and meals, mobs of hens and the astonishing variety of cakes.

He remembers the men’s nightly activities and the reading of the Auckland Weekly News. Their clothes, boots, trousers, colourful flannel shirts with competitive display of colours and wide brimmed white hats.

Part one concludes with Joe remembering a night in a bush camp, making his way out of the shanty, walking some distance from the camp and listening to the night silence.