MEN I HAVE MET

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 106, 7 May 1934, Page 9

MEN I HAVE MET

SIR MALCOLM CAMPBELL

HIGH: COMMISSIONER LOOKS* BACK

(Written for "The Post" by Sir ■;.-.■ Thomas Wilford.) ..'.<■ .-■■'" ', No. VII. ,1 have always believed, and as I have got- older I have become convinced, that the man -without a sense of humour has little or no imagination, and I have always believed that the man who has •little or no imagination will of ten fail to see possible dangers that may arise _irader' a given, sefc of circumstances.

The subject of my sketch is one of the greatest-men of today, as a motor* ist. Sir Malcolm Campbell, with all his great qualities as a driver, has no sense of humour, and to that I attribute the fact that he is one of the greatest drivers the world has seen or ever will see—for he has no imagination with regard to the perils he runs. : ;

Sir Malcolm Campbell, whom everyone in New- Zealand knows by name,' would love to go to New Zealand. He has said that to me over and over again. We have gone thoroughly into all the evidence ive could collect, while I- ivas HigH" Commissioner, with regard '.to the Ninety-Mile Beach in New Zealand. "We have read together the descriptions of Mr. Norman Smith's speed triads on. that beach, we have perused plans, charts, amd photographs of the same, but up to today Sir Malcolm is not'convinced that there is a perfect track suitable for an attempt upon the world's record. ' _ ,

I remember one occasion, when I was down at Sir Malcolm's home with him. I had been, sitting in his famous car just to say that I had sat in it, and we had gone back into his beautiful house, and were standing in one corner of the great hall and dining-room^ ■where, in an alcove, probably 200 gold and silver trophies are exhibited. He said thatif he' decided to go to New Zealand with his famous ear, he -would be glad to speak, as well, on "Empire" in all the principal towns for mo.

HEAVY COST OF THE TRIP,

Sir -Malcolm pointed out, however, that the cost of the trip -would be very heavy, for 'he travels with, four mechanics—all highly men—whose expenses to and. from New Zealand, and while in New Zealand, would have to be paid, as well as his own. He was hot looking for a penny profit; he did not want to make a shilling for himself, but he felt, and I entirely agreed with him,^that he should'not be ' out of pocket.by the venture, i£ it could.be arranged. " I told him I would1 communicate his wish to those in New Zealand who were interested, but he asked me not to take any definite steps until he was satisfied that the Ninety-Mile Beach was'suitable for the purpose of trying to put up a world's record.

. Before Sir Malcolm left for Daytona on the last occasion, the heads of the whole-of the sports bodies: in England met to bid him farewell and to wish him godspeed; in 'his venture. Ido not think there was a sport unrepresented. It .was a great gathering and I had the honour that night, on behalf of those present, to propose Sir, Malcolm Campbell's health. His reply was typical of the man, simple^ modest, but most effective.

;/ Since his! return from America: Sir Malcolm, ihas. been writing very 'great Articles relating to motor traffic, road troubles, and. matters affecting, the motoiing industry, and he" :has\; given "well thought out and ■well put together suggestions, which have- been endorsed aiid are now being advocated by "prominent members of the Royal Automobile Club and the Automobile Association.

SEVEN CARS IN OARAGE.

Sir Malcolm is one of the fittest men one could.meet, next to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.-,.: Ho is like ..whipcord—not an ounce, of spare, flesh, on him. At the back of. his house he.has,.by Ms own manual labour, laid out a. golf course of nine holes, dug and prepared the bunkers himself and. prepared the greens. He, is not" a great golf.er, and plays the game rather for the exercise he gets than with the idea of ever being a champion. He has a charming wife and a sweet little daugh-' ter who,, I understand^ is as fearless as' her father. \ ; , j

.. Jta his garage alongside his house Sir Malcolm had, on one occasion when I was.there, seven cars, air painted the same colour as the Blue Bird. It is impossible to describe the Blue Bird. Although all my readers will have seen photographs of it,, a photograph gives no idea to anyone of the length of this extraordinarily-shaped vehicle. I should think, the clearance is about 4in; it may to more, but it doesn't look it. Wherever this enormous vehicle goes it lias to be trucked, so it will bo realised it is.no easy matter, except upon a steamer, to transport it from place to place. It is never driven on the roads. When I saw it move it was being pushed about by six men. ; ;

SUGGESTED NEW ZEALAND VISIT,

: If ever this article meets Sir Maleoioi Campbell's; eye, he will read that I acknowledge the many kindnesses he has done me during my term of office in LthdoH, I should also like'to thank him lor Mg goodness to a number of New Zealanders who have asked me to arrange interviews with him at different times: in order that they might discuss masters of interest only to themselves. He has never been weary on account »f these interviews, but has always toid-xne to make use of him as much as .possible,-because he was glad to meet anyone from my country and to help them;

I; told Sir Malcolm the last time we met that I thought he should make an ena to these Teeord-treaking adventures, that ;iu my opinion such feats are only for. unmarried men under 30 years of age, He just smiled ana said nothing. i . .

If it is possible for the people of .New Zealand'to persuade Sir Malcolm Campbell that the Ninety-Mile Beach is suitable for, tho purpose of putting up a world's ieeord, I can tell them what it would cost, to transport Sir Malcolm, his car, and'his four mechanics to New Zealand. Personally, I believe that the whole of the expense of the tour couia be recovered from the exhibition of the'car in, say, a dozen principal towns and by Sir Malcolm giving the same number of public addresses in such towns. I hope that a oommittee will eventually go thoroughly into this question to see whether or not it is practicable.