Pioneering the Pumice
Contents
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Contents
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Page |
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Chapter I |
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| The Land |
Its acquisition: history of the title: dispute over title to Tuhunatara: description of the country—its configuration—soil—elevation—abundance of water: pumice the basis of the bulk of good land in North Island: further vast areas ready for cultivation: increasing appreciation of dry, open country: healthful climate: the sportsman's paradise: some volcanic sights: the whole in a state of nature: isolation. |
1 |
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Chapter II |
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| The Man |
Antecedents and training of Edward Earle Vaile: youthful escapades: career at Auckland Grammar School: business experience: travel: public services: no farming experience. |
21 |
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Chapter III |
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| Predecessors and Neighbours |
Previous attempts at occupation: road constructed via Waiotapu: The Bungalow: Waiotapu Hotel: Strathmore and the Butcher Family: beginnings of settlement at Rotorua, Waimangu, Rerewhakaitu, Galatea, Wairakei, Taupo and Napier Road: Opepe “Massacre”, more recent settlers at Reporoa, Wharepaiua and elsewhere: coach drivers: hawkers: fiaxmilling. |
33 |
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Chapter IV |
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| The Maoris |
The local sub-tribe: characteristics: mode of life: food and clothes: birth: marriage: burial: leisure: undependable: good helpers: excellent hosts: life of ordinary
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Maori: neglect of the old: the tohunga: Ratana: poetic mythology: celebrated local taniwha: humour: curious expressions: a Maori bank: some individual Maoris: resemblance to Irish: the Maori a communist: curse of the motor-car. An addendum to this chapter sets out the benefits received by the Maori from the Pakeha and urges creation of independence and self respect in the Maori. |
51 |
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Chapter V |
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| The Workmen |
Necessity of helpers in development of country: the Maoris useful: danger of men desiring remoteness from police: some “Old Colonial hands”: some workers described: new chums: foreigners not useful: wages formerly current: prices of produce. |
96 |
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Chapter VI |
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| The Women |
Very few in bacckblocks: “married couples”: loneliness: first white baby on Broadlands. |
107 |
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Chapter VII |
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| The Boys |
Their importance: their appetite: their work: their pay: some individual boys: new chum boys: housekeepers' young sons. |
112 |
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Chapter VIII |
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| The Visitors |
Land buyers: great numbers of visitors: Lord Bledisloe: Ministers of the Crown: Mr. Massey: twenty-seven farmers: bankers: annual shooting party: Rotorua High School boys: Agricultural Editor, Auckland Weekly News: always “open house”. |
121 |
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Chapter IX |
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| Adventure |
Maoris and Hindus: patrolling the river to catch Riri and his killer dog: a new bully: violent workmen: cattle duffers: catching wild horses: escaped prisoners: scaling a precipice: burning-off: crossing a great flood: the first motor through Strathmore: crossing rivers on wires: earthquakes: accidents: power inherent in wilderness. |
131 |
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Chapter X |
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| The Animals |
Insects: birds: fishes: beasts and other creatures: introduced animals as well as native. |
147 |
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Chapter XI |
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| The Plants |
The beginning: growth improvues: pumice decomposed and ready for growth of plants: appearance and spread of manuka, fern and tutu: but for fires would come into bush: “skin” of land: natural growth of grass: lotus major: native grasses: pasture: crops: weeds: wonderful results in garden: ferns: fungi. |
174 |
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Chapter XII |
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| Forestry and Afforestation |
Marvel of tree growth: Pumice Land unrivalled: methods of tree raising and planting out: aboretum: collection native trees and shrubs: enemies of trees: destruction by fire: former prices totara fencing timber: vast State plantations: private planting almost as great: milling to be started: cost of plantations: stupendous yields probable: sale of bonds: commitments: details of outlay: increased use of pinus insignis timber: realization of Matamata plantations: wild exotic trees. |
183 |
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Chapter XIII |
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| The Work |
Strength of resistance in nature: providing access both legal and practical: management: book-keeping: small personal expenses: my practice as physician and surgeon: roads and bridges policy: house building programme: design and erection of best woolshed in New Zealand: fences: drains: paddocks: value of turnips: growth of feed oats necessary: care of animals: necessary cruelty: my reputation for strength: storekeeping: prizes taken at agricultural shows: I am the government: my continuous ministry: garden and homestead: always busy: long hours: mustering: shearing: dipping: dairying: particulars of improvements effected: Reporoa sold and settled: public work: I stand for Parliament and am defeated: donate one thousand acres for the unemployed. |
197 |
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Chapter XIV |
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| Transport |
Maori roads: transport by foot, bullock, horse, motor, railway: first freights all inwards: rough roads: repairs with manuka: cost of road transport diminishes: cost of railway transport increases: failure of railway: wickedness of abolishing competition by legislation: value of telephones in backblocks: drawbacks of distance. |
239 |
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Chapter XV |
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| Rotorua-Taupo Railway |
History of my struggle for a railway: opposition by Taupo-Totara Timber Company: many victories: final defeat due to disloyalty. |
254 |
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Chapter XVI |
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| Government Assistance |
Entire lack of support almost amounts to opposition: success of Post Office. |
286 |
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Chapter XVII |
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| Conclusion |
Results and value of my achievement: avoidance of dangers of bankruptcy and lunacy: shall leave the world richer for my enterprise and work. |
295 |
| Glossary |
299 |
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