Hi David

> > root on schlumpf:/hp425/root/
> > > swap on schlumpf:/hp425/swap
> > > exec /sbin/init: error 8
> > > init: not found
> > > panic: no init

>         Have you confirmed that /hp425/root/sbin/init exists, and that
>         /hp425/root/ is exported with root access to the NetBSD box?

Yes, the file exists. The file /etc/exports looks like this
/hp425/root (rw,no_root_squash)
/hp425/swap (rw,no_root_squash)
which allows everybody mounting those directories with no change of
root's user ID to '0'

Greetings
	Torsten