SNAIL'S PACE MOTORING

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 170, 5 August 1937, Page 4

SNAIL'S PACE MOTORING

Cars Caught in Fog Between Kennels and Hastings 12 MILES IN 75 MINUTES Hawke's Bay contributed a share to the big crowd at the South Africa v. Manawatu Bugby football match at Palmerston North yesterday, and a number of motorists who left their return journey until a late hour ran into an exceptionally dense fog in the vicdnity of the Pukahu swamp. Such was the poor visibility, in fact, that five separate parties covered the last 12 or so miles into Hastings in close on 75 minutes. There was not a great deal of down traiiic about midnight and in the early tours of the morning ■ and visibility was excellent until oue reached the swamp district. There, however, the roadway was blanketed and it was itnpossible to see more than a car-length in front. The beams of the headlights

nad tne appearance of having been cut with a knife a few feet away from the radiator. A little to the south of The Kennels two cars wore parked on the side of the road, the first having been there for over half an hour. The drivers decided tf stay there in the hope that the fog would lift. In due course there were five parties assemblcd, and after a general discijssion they arranged that the journey should be continued, each car taking it in turns to head the miniature .procession. In this manner the danger zone was safely passed through, but it was au unenviabje experience for the drivers. The pace was little more than that of a jog, with scores of brief stops. Oue or two oncoming vehicles passed, and they too were travelling ' at a "snail's paee. ' ' Hastings it.self was enveloped in a blanket of fog, though of lesser density oxeept in the low-lying area, particn, larly between Hastings aiid Havelock North On tlie other hand there was ouly a light fog between Hastings and Napier and trafflc was in 110 way held up.