VETERAN CARS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 128, 1 June 1937, Page 10

VETERAN CARS

THURSDAY'S PARADE

CAVALCADE OF TRANSPORT

HISTORIC VEHICLES

Wellington's streets are to be the scene of a unique cavalcade of transport next Thursday. It is the closing date of the King George V Memorial Fund campaign, which has been organised throughout the country by tl^e Government, and everything is beingdone by the Mayor's Committee to swell the total. One of the features of Thursday's functions in Wellington will be a procession of transport through the various ages, organised by the Automobile Association. It will consist of various makes and types of vehicles, ranging from the earliest cars brought into New Zealand to the latest models capable of travelling at 100 m.p.h., and will include horse-drawn vehicles, some of which must be novel to many of the young people today. The association has been able to find an Irish jaunting-car, which was well known in the streets of Wellington in 1906 and a landau which was presented by the people of Invercargill to Lady Ward. The value of the donkey as a hauling unit in past agtes and in foreign countries has not been overlooked, and the City 'Council has kindly lent one of the remaining ones in Wellington for the purpose. This animal is in regular use at the Zoo, and his appearance on the city streets will no doubt create a good deal of interest. The assoc;ation is not vouching for his speed, and will guarantee neither 5. nor 50 m.p.h.Coming to motor vehicles, the earliest car is a Peugeot of 1900 vintage, and although this is the oldest vehicle available for the procession it will proceed under its own power. This car is the property of Mr. Green, of Newtovvn, who has held it and preserved it for many years as a curio. A REAL OLD-TIMER. A real veteran with an intriguing history is a 1903 model Oldsmobila lent by General Motors. This car was found by the company in Te Puke in 1926, being then the property of one of the oldest residents in the district, and he revealed that this was the first car in New Zealand to .cross the old razor-back road between Mercer and 'Auckland, a road which was known to motorists" for many years as a regular nightmare. In making this first trip the passenger travelled behind carrying two large stones ready to put under the wheels in case of emergencies. Motorists. venturing into hilly country in those days seemed more worried about travelling backwards than travelling forwards. Then there is a 1906 Hotchkiss, with 4ft 6in buggy wheels, the property of Mr H. M, Hayward, of White's Lme, Lower Hutt. This car was from America in 1906, and still has the'original tyres. The car has two gears, and the brass kerosene lamps and tiller steering are interesting featUOther vehicles of later years which are nevertheless most interesting because of the important part they have clayed in the advance of transport will be a feature of the display. The association will have the assistance of the University Students' Association an helping to make the procession still further complete. The procession will assemble at Bunny Street, 'and move off via Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street, and Courtenay Place at about noon, returning via Wakefleld Street to the Post Office Square, where those who are unable to see the procession m motion will have the opportunity of inspecting the many interesting vehicles. '