Have
you ever wondered why the old hut in the north-east
reaches of the Waiouru Training Area is called the Westlawn
Hut? This is because It was built as
a musterers' hut sometime
around 1900, when the
land was the western portion of Ohinewairua station
on the Gentle Annie Road between Taihape and Napier. And
Westlawn because the ground there is not covered in
red tussock but native browntop grass.
From time to time Bert would walk across the hills to Waiouru as there was no Argo Road at that time. He would buy his stores and then drink until he had used up all his rabbit-skin money. After one midwinter visit he collapsed outside the Waiouru Tavern and died a short time later The land on which Westlawn Hut is located was gazetted for defence purposes in 1961 and the hut began to be used recreationally by soldiers from Waiouru Military Camp until a more modern hut was constructed across the road. The interior of the hut has a timber floor that has been laid directly onto the ground surface and there are two twin bunks constructed out of adzed timber running along the sides of the hut.
Next 24. The Angel of Tangiwai |
