An NZBC radio documentary on horse transport in early European New Zealand. Narrated by Neville Toogood. Compiled by Alwyn Owen with technical direction by John McGregor.
Unidentified men and women recall the vital role horses used to play in New Zealand society. (Some are excerpts of recordings held elsewhere in the sound collection.)
A woman recalls how her father used horses on the West Coast of the North Island to bring European pioneers from ship to shore.
A woman recalls how horses pulled the gold escort in Otago. Sound effects of a horse drawn wagon.
A man describes a covered "schooner" wagon.
A man recalls waggoning in winter through thick snow, which covered fences and gullies. 43 wagons went over the Cromwell Bridge in one day.
The differences between Clydesdales and Shire horses and different uses.
£500-600 for a Clydesdale.
A man talks about Māori breaking in wild horses. He traded meat for a horse with people from Parihaka.
In bush country bullocks were used for bush-felling. But packhorses were used to supply bush camps. A man talks about the heavy loads his family's packhorses used to carry. A horse, "Tommy", used to take notes from the camp to the farm by himself and knocked at the door.
A man describes a horse-powered milking machine on a dairy farm from 1909-1920.
A description of a blacksmith's workshop or smithy, which was a social meeting place for farmers.
A woman (Brenda Bel)l describes hard-working tram-horses in Dunedin's Princes St around 1900. The horses had a rest home near the beach. Open hansom cabs were considered too daring for girls to travel in.
A man recalls hansom cabs on High Street, Christchurch. Flies, dust and dirt on a hot, nor'west day.
A man describes a horse-drawn fire engine in Dunedin, pulled by two large grey horses.
Doctors and church minister's also used horses. A woman recalls Mr Gillies, a minister who was given a horse and buggy by his parish.
Otira coach service over Arthur's Pass until the rail tunnel opened in 1923. A man describes the different coaches used and crossing the Otira River.
The South African rugby team travelled to the West Coast in coaches in 1921. A man recalls they got out and walked over the Otira Gorge, delaying their arrival in Greymouth.
Coaching on the Waiuta run on the West Coast is remembered by a man.
A woman recalls mine horses fondly, including one called "Douglas" who used to eat the miner's dinner.