Pulling together for islands

It has been dead for many, many years; buried under a shroud of leaves to rust in peace. However, Eltham's Malcolm Pease dug it out and pulled it to pieces. Assisted by Paul Kwaito and James Brian it is now lovingly being restored to be sold to the highest bidder.

The income from the sale of the Massey Ferguson 135 will go towards covering some of the travel costs of Paul  and James, who came here from the Solomon Islands to learn more  about tractor maintenance and management. They are the first mechanics to come to  Taranaki from the Solomons following years of Malcolm going there and to other Melanesian islands to take spare parts and fix tractors for the local farmers.

``They are doing what I always wanted; for them to learn more about budgeting and the cost of running a tractor, and to know where they can get the parts they need and be able to maintain a tractor,'' says Malcolm. He has had

a hand in sourcing and preparing 16 tractors for the islands over the years, but says the worth of the tractor is only as good as its maintenance, which is why the emphasis is on training.

The two will be here until the end of January, but their stay may be extended. Both say they would welcome the opportunity to learn more, but James needs to be home by the start of April when he and his wife are expecting their first baby.

James works for the island group's ministry of education, training youth in restoring and managing tractors, especially in the rural areas.

``We came here to learn and we will go back to teach others,'' he says.

Paul is a mechanic at a Reformist church mission, where he  passes on his knowledge to  younger  people.

Tractors are used in the Solomons not just for agriculture but as a way of transport, sometimes being the only

vehicles able to traverse the almost impassable roads in the rainy season.

Apart from the tractor they are restoring to fund part of their travel, they are also bringing back to life a Massey Ferguson 165, which was funded by the Melanesian mission UK and will be shipped to the Solomons.

 The Anglican Church of Melanesia and local Makira community have undertaken to pay the freight from

New Zealand.

Malcolm says he and his wife Jill have received a lot of help from the local community and from businesses

and they thank them sincerely.

``Now, all we need is a bid.''

If you can help, or want to make a bid, phone Malcolm and Jill on (06) 764 8262 or email the peavine@xtra.co.nz.