After our lunch at Mint, we took a little Tiki Tour. Starting off at Scott's Ferry, which transported horses, cattle, sheep, produce and people across the Rangitikei River from 1850 to 1908. The ferry (barge) was then purchased and worked on the Whanganui River from 1908 to 1975, and after laying derelict for some years, was salvaged, restored and returned to the area where it first started operating all those years ago, to honour all the early pioneers. In the early days the coastline and rivers were the roads of the day.
Scott's Ferry transported goods across the river
Scott's Ferry Weather Station raised a smile
From here we went in search of the Bess Memorial. Thousands of horses were purchased and sent overseas in WW1. Bess was bred in the Wairarapa and was selected by Col Charles Guy Powles, an officer in the New Zealand Mounted Rifle Brigade. Bess served in Egypt, Sinai, Palestine, France and Germany, before heading to England and finally returning home in 1920. She was one of only four horses who returned home after war service.
Bess enjoyed 14 peaceful years on the farm, and she was buried where she collapsed and died in 1934. Col Powles had a memorial constructed in white marble to honour the life of his special horse. This spot was one of the many Anzac Services held around the region on Anzac Day.
The Bess Memorial
Along the fenceline are two special young trees, Gallipoli Pines grown from seeds brought back as pine cones after WW1. The trees were felled and used for reinforcing the trenches. There are two pines, either side of the gate to the Bess Memorial.
Gallipoli Pines
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