HISTORIAN Ron Cooke's fourth book on King Country trucking history is not far from publication. Photo: Paul charman
THOSE who have enjoyed previous volumes of King Country trucking history will be pleased to learn that Volume 4, From Low Gear to Overdrive, is not far off.
A Taumarunui & Districts Historical Society spokesperson, Audrey Walker, said local historian and author, Ron Cooke, was now finishing the final instalment of the series.
It had been the hardest of the four such volumes which the society had commissioned Ron to write and put together.
“Luckily many of the early transport operators supplied photos and were interviewed during the late 1980s but not so many are still around to go back to for further clarification,” Ron said.
“So, I still have many more questions I would like answers for.”
He said it wouldn’t be King Country history without plenty of details on logging and sawmilling.
The development of the logging truck looms large in the text, in particular the development of a primitive water-cooling system for drum brakes, which was developed locally to stop brakes burning out as they carried huge loads on the lengthy down-hill run in from the Punga Valley to the sawmills at Manunui.
Several former operators deployed this home-grown tech feature in the text, with each one giving their take on who thought of it first.
Trucks involved in building roads, quarrying, fuel and cement delivery all have their stories told, as do bus operations in and around Taumarunui. There’s also detail of the transport fleet which was developed to establish and service the Chateau Tongariro and Whakapapa ski field.
A special feature is made of a “local boy made good”, who now runs a multi-million-dollar specialist heavy duty trailer production business in Hamilton, which brings the book into modern times.
Audrey said the society was pleased to bring this book to publication.
“The first three volumes have been very popular and queries on the advent of Volume 4 are regularly received.
“This is the last book of the series, and the society will let everyone know when the launch date is settled – aiming for late October/early November,” Audrey said.
