[unclear: Allaway]-Dickson Working Party

Twenty minutes later and six shillings poorer, we all left the Shelter Hut, cheered on our way by a mediocre Hughie. I thought dejectedly of my lunch and gnashed my teeth at the thought of the party I was to miss — it was Saturday.

We arrived at Tauhaurenikau Hut, to be greeted by swarms of school-boys armed with vicious-looking rifles. They had trudged into the Valley (what men!) and were now about to lay waste the whole area — as soon as the torrential [unclear: downpour] (viz. slight drizzle) ceased. We left them to their fate.

En route to Allaway- Dickson we met Don Fraser going the wrong, (i.e. the other) way. At the hut was Dave Parrish, who had arrived the night before. By this time it was dark and drizzling - we couldn't paint, so we had dinner.

Sunday was fine, and a away we went. Dave and Warwick dug a drain under the hut while we all decorated the outside with creosote. When this was done Viv laid some fresh concrete in front of the fire while Peter and I tested the hut's new axe. Somebody said the fire-place should be cleaned out — nobody heard him.

After lunch we set off for home, leaving Dave Parrish to finish the drain. Viv's s Uncle met us at the shelter Hut, and a train from Upper Hutt saw us homeward bound, pleasantly tired.

Allaway-Dickson could easily absorb many such working parties.

- Andy Jackson.

Slavedriver Viv. Jamieson, Slaves - Peter Jamieson, Andy Jackson, Warwick Wright.

* * * * * * * * *