The Coach House Museum
40 Bowen Street
Feilding
New Zealand
Feilding
New Zealand
The Mai Wagon
This wagon was purchased in c1900 by Mathius Mai of Feilding and used by his family as they moved from Feilding to Pohangina Valley, settling in Raumai.
The express wagon is such a versatile carriage, suitable for seated passengers travelling to church or when the seats are removed, very adequate for carrying any of the needs and stores of the early settler family. It was often harnessed with a single horse or on occasion with a pole and two horses abreast.
The vehicle was gifted to the Society by the Mai family in 2004 after a colouful career, serving firstly the Mai family as their source of transport, later as feature in the history of Ashhurst and the Pohangina Valley, leading celebration parades and finally travelling over 5,000 kilometres on the treks promoting the establishment of this Horse-drawn Era Museum.
The express wagon is such a versatile carriage, suitable for seated passengers travelling to church or when the seats are removed, very adequate for carrying any of the needs and stores of the early settler family. It was often harnessed with a single horse or on occasion with a pole and two horses abreast.
The vehicle was gifted to the Society by the Mai family in 2004 after a colouful career, serving firstly the Mai family as their source of transport, later as feature in the history of Ashhurst and the Pohangina Valley, leading celebration parades and finally travelling over 5,000 kilometres on the treks promoting the establishment of this Horse-drawn Era Museum.
In the April 2003 issue of the Coach House Chronicle, Peter Olsen wrote about the Mai Wagon thus:
This vehicle is light Express wagon by design, able to carry 4 adults or by removing the seats become a flat deck wagon for carrying light freight or could be used for farm work.
Bought by Mathius Mai in Feilding about 1900, first used here then later north of Pohangina and in 1908 at Raumai. In 1928 the family bought their first motor car and this vehicle was stored in a barn on the farm. It spent some time on loan in the 1960's and was mobile again for the Ashhurst 100 year celebrations carrying the then Prime Minister Mr & Mrs Bill Rowling with Dick Story at the reins.
A dispute over ownership occurred soon after the Ashhurst Centenary and the vehicle was returned to the owner and remained stored in a shed until 1996.
It came under my care in 1996 at the beginning of the 'Coach House' project. Eventually we hope, when space is available, it will be come an exhibit in the museum. (This has since become a reality - Ed) The Oroua Teamsters have used it on all our treks, it has been most useful for all the deck space it has for carrying our gear. It had minor repairs in 1996, new felloes on one wheel and was tetyred on all wheels.
It is in original condition and being 100 years old it can't be blamed for breaking an axle in 1997 and losing a wheel. it has travelled several thousand kilometres since 1996 and performs so well.
This vehicle is light Express wagon by design, able to carry 4 adults or by removing the seats become a flat deck wagon for carrying light freight or could be used for farm work.
Bought by Mathius Mai in Feilding about 1900, first used here then later north of Pohangina and in 1908 at Raumai. In 1928 the family bought their first motor car and this vehicle was stored in a barn on the farm. It spent some time on loan in the 1960's and was mobile again for the Ashhurst 100 year celebrations carrying the then Prime Minister Mr & Mrs Bill Rowling with Dick Story at the reins.
A dispute over ownership occurred soon after the Ashhurst Centenary and the vehicle was returned to the owner and remained stored in a shed until 1996.
It came under my care in 1996 at the beginning of the 'Coach House' project. Eventually we hope, when space is available, it will be come an exhibit in the museum. (This has since become a reality - Ed) The Oroua Teamsters have used it on all our treks, it has been most useful for all the deck space it has for carrying our gear. It had minor repairs in 1996, new felloes on one wheel and was tetyred on all wheels.
It is in original condition and being 100 years old it can't be blamed for breaking an axle in 1997 and losing a wheel. it has travelled several thousand kilometres since 1996 and performs so well.
