Alma Ellis (later Still) with Fred's truck.
The Coal Yard & other storiesPage 6 |
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Alma Ellis (later Still) with Fred's truck. |
The big truck ended its days with the motor going to Andy Loudon at Kuri Bush to drive a saw bench for cutting manuka and the chassis went on to Ernie Ellis’s farm for a bridge support. Andy soon found that the cost of petrol was prohibitive. One lesson that was learned the hard way with this truck, was on steep hills. A “no exit” street that ran down hill was no bother to a low geared truck, but once unloaded the smooth, solid tyres gave no grip. Winding a rope through holes in the wheel and around the tyres, gave better traction. A lady on watching the men in this situation, rang old Bill, and told him that the truck was stuck. |
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The men had advised her that “with perseverance the truck will be shifted”. Grandad who had taught the men this trick was not concerned, but advised them in future to reverse down the hill before unloading. Some of the staff at the Ÿard” were Len Kitto, Jack Sharp, Graeme Swete, Gordon Donaldson. Charlie Hurley Dave McMeekin and Arthur Wilson. Dave McMeekin had worked at Arthur Ellis’s flock mill down the valley. He said the pay was better at the coal yard but you sure worked hard. Another cartage firm in the Kaikorai district was Mowat’s. They had a chain driven “Jeffery” truck. On one occasion a Syrian hawker was struggling up Kaikorai Valley road with a large suitcase of wares that he had for sale. As Jack Mowats truck slowed down to round the corner at the bottom of Stone Street the hawker threw his case on the back hoping to ask for a lift. Just then, Jack’s dog (a German collie with blue and brown patches) that was running behind the truck, came up to him and the hawker stepped back as the truck accelerated away up the valley with the suitcase. |
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The big truck ended its days with the motor going to Andy Loudon at Kuri Bush to drive a saw bench for cutting manuka and the chassis went on to Ernie Ellis’s farm for a bridge support. Andy soon found that the cost of petrol was prohibitive. One lesson that was learned the hard way with this truck, was on steep hills. A “no exit” street that ran down hill was no bother to a low geared truck, but once unloaded the smooth, solid tyres gave no grip. Winding a rope through holes in the wheel and around the tyres, gave better traction. A lady on watching the men in this situation, rang old Bill, and told him that the truck was stuck. Go to Next Page |
 Graeme Swete, Mervyn and "Jock" Still in front of the Bedford truck in the coal yard. |
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