Hunter, the treasue hunter.

Saturday was another steaming hot day, my Dad was enjoying his weekly chess matches with Uncle Mick, (a fifty year old ritual!) and my part in the preparations for my youngest daughter Melissa's 18th party started later in the day. That left me with four hours to kill and I went on a random, no particular goal, adventure. I drove till I saw a park then searched it. The lucky park was Virgo Park in Glen Eden. It caught my eye as drove past. A small park but I managed in 20 minutes to retrieve 50 cents all in 10 cent bits and a old favourite of mine, a cap bomb. Lot's of the usual nails and screws as well.

Part of Glen Eden's, star wars, 
nuclear deterrent arsenal.

I then had to visit Mitre10 in Glen Eden for a new nut to fit on my MD's arm rest which had shaken free and fallen apart. A metal nut which I frustratingly couldn't locate!!!

Having a sudden impulse, I headed for Titirangi Beach, which was not too far away. The spur was, whilst doing research on the PapersPast site last week, I had spied in the lost and found column of the Auckland Star, Issue 25, 29th January 1921, Page 1. This advert.

Lost : Gold wreath brooch set Rubies and Pearls, Peoples Park, Titirangi Beach. Keepsake. Reward. 92 Newton Road.

This reward was in the back of my mind as I drove beachwards, well one can dream can't one :) Even so I thought, where one item had been lost maybe more were begging to found. Titirangi Beach was a popular out of town resort in the earlier part of the 1900's, from what I've read, church and social gatherings there were common place. The tide was way out revealing sandy mud and bedrock further towards the sea. The heat had caused that muddy repugnant stench around the creek and further out on the beach which was very unappealing.

Titirangi playground, smelly beach in background.

I had been strolling around for several minutes when a young five year old boy, Hunter-Burrows made my company. It turned out he was a Hunter more than in name, he was also a seasoned treasure hunter and after a good chinwag we joined forces.
He was a bright lad and his enthusiasm and imagination reminded me of William Brown, Richmal Compton's fictitious schoolboy character who I still avidly read to this day.
If there was one thing I wanted it was to find something to make the little fellas day. But after two hours on the beach and in the big bark playground there was nothing, not even a 10 cent, to show for our efforts. I shortened the shaft and adjusted the headset and Hunter-Burrows did 10 minutes on his own but the weight of the detector was too much for him. His one and only signal after much excitement was disappointingly (for me) just a bottle top. His mother, Rebekah, a stunning young lady, sunbathing in a green bikini, made friends as well and I could see why her son was so bright and full of life. She had nurtured his sense of adventure and was as chatty as him. We persevered hunting for a while longer, a rusty metal clamp being the highlight. A metal clamp that was from a pirate treasure chest my little mate informed me.
After two hours we finally departed company as I was off to help with the party preparation and Hunter-Burrows left to relate his day to his friends next door.
I hope we meet again.
The heat had drained me and I was glad to get inside in the shade and get a cold drink into me while Dad reviewed his 2-1 chess loss to me.

So three hours searching for 50 cents but I had had a great day and Hunter-Burrows had expressed, with his wonderment at every find, the feeling I too get inside when uncovering my targets. I actually can imagine that that metal clamp was indeed part of a pirates hidden treasure. Just as my Uncle John would of in days of old.
See you out there.