Anzac Weekend (Holdsworth, Totara Flats, Kaitoke)

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Bannister mn Kaitoko, Anzac Weekend FRIDAY-Departing from the Rail- After tea we were treated to a homeway Station at 8.15 a.m., after waiting made fireworks display by the younger for late comers who had forgotten set (Dave and I weren't very impressed) that Anzac was a Sunday bus service, and after a few "Yodle layhe hoo's" we we arrived at Holdsworth Lodge about hit the sack. 10.30 a.m. We set off in light rain which SUNDAY-Pushed on down to Alturned to sleet at times for the Totara laway D. passing Hutt Valley's and Hef- Flats turn-off, passing a few Hutt Valley alump* on the way, and then down Club stragglers who were doing the to Smith's for lunch, arriving to find same trip. After waiting for our own we had lost one of our party (Big stragglers to catch up, we set off down Ears) on the way down due to a to Totara Creek for lunch with the series of misunderstandings on route. odd stag roaring in the background. We decided to send four of the boys With the weather clearing, we made back to look for him while we had off down to Totara Flats to find the lunch. They arrived back on time hav- Waiohine uncrossable and 42 bods wait- ing found no sign of him. It was deing to cross in the cage. We soon had cided then that Dave should take the the wires running red hot and 20 min- rest of the trip out to the bus while utes later were setting up camp fur- Murray Taylor and myself would search ther down the flats. the valley back to Allaway and meet SATURDAY.-Weather good, we out at the bus later in case he had moved down the Waiohine to the cone made his way out. We searched to no saddle track and ground our way, up avail and then, proceeded out to the and over the top to Clem Creek where bus. No sign of "Big Ears" anywhere. we decided to light a fire and have After ringing our search contact Tadlunch. After an exhibition of how not dy, we decidéd that Dave Minard and to light a fire with wet wood, we were Murray Taylor should go back in, with most upset to move on and leave it to what food we could muster, for the the Hutt Valley's who were just ar- night. As they? set off, two shooters arriving. rived out and informed us that they had Down at Cone Hut the younger mem- found "Big Ears" and that two combers of our party told us that the hut panions were bringing him out. Much was occupied by a savage wild dog, but relieved we boarded the bus and headed after entering and offering a few bis- for the "big smoke". cuits in the general direction of under Those on the trip, leader Dave Minthe bunk, a docile little black dog ap- ard, Murray Taylor, Ray Dagger, Tim peared licking his chops and looking Williams, Dave Paterson, Barry Insul, for more. Later we were told he had Murray Randell, Bryce Vennington, been lost two weeks previously, hence Chris Maslen, Steve Kohler, Michael the appetite. We moved on down to the Collings, Don Abbott, John Silvester flats near Bull Mound track and made and myself. camp. That night "Big Ears" found *Black Stump (ask someone on trip). "Noddy" and the boys found out all *Hefalump (ask Dave Minard). about the "Black Stump". NEIL GREEN.