TAURANGA SEAT.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 March 1923, Page 4

TAURANGA SEAT.

PERILOUS JOURNEY. Silt JOSEPH WARD'S TOUR. TAURAXGA, March 23. To turn his back on diflicultv anil danger is not one of the characteristics of Sir Joseph Ward, and his determination to go through with an tindorluking never was more strikingly shown than it was to-day. Sir Joseph lias i accomplished wliat was considered ul- 1 most impossible, having covered almost j the whole of the vast Tauranga elec- j ionite unaided, lie has visited places where a political meeting never before was held, has travelled thousands of miles to do so. and has averaged three nr four speeches a day. Early this morning he set out on the hardest dav’s work aml the most hazardous journey of the whole campaign. His task was to cross the Kaimai ranges by motor, deliver half a dozen speeches bv the way, and reach Tauranga in time to speak aL the Alount in tlie evening. The load across the Kaimai i, notorious, and in wet weather frequently is impassable. Heavy rain Paving fallen last night telephone messages were received in Te Arolia early this morning saying that tlie road was so had that those who had made arrangements lor meeting- along the route did not expect that Sir Joseph would attempt to get through. He decided to go- The condition of '.lie road was unbelievable and the trip proved to lie one of thrills. The first step was made at Okuitni. iwontv mites out ol Te Arolia. and theie a brief address was delivered to the .-eLtlers. who heartily expressed their appreciation of Sir Joseph Milt'd s action in vi-iting them in very trying i-ifcunistii nces. Then began ihr lung climb in Uppm | Kaimai, a -<.■ it lei neui on the summit |~| the moliUlain. accessible only by a j thoroughfare cubed a road, but ready ; little more than a tortuous ela\ iru'-’-: ! carved out of the side of the fi'- ! mm winding dills. Jhe ear , even with their hack wheels wrapped in chains, skidded dangerously, and Iriqueiilly the safety of the party seemed Ito rest on the driver’s skill. The j condition of the road suggested Hint it had been placed at the disposal ol the local agriculturists for the annual ploughing match. Bog is a term too mild to describe it. The term rutgives no idea of the holes. They were nearly big enough to bury the ear.

Live miles from the summit ol the range the lending ear suffered a premature burial and had to be dug out. A little further mi the performance was repea\cd. and once more ihe spade lame lo the rescue. Lour miles from the Lop the car -I ml; so deeply in the mud that over an hour was spent in getting ii out. It luid ju-1 been got oni when ll caught lire, and though tire oxiiugui-ners were brought into li.'-e ii was practically destroyed. Some of the party who had been in favour ol abandoning the attempt, renewed their suggestion, hut Sir .Joseph would not hear of turning hack. "How far am I from the top;- ' he asked. "Vuli will he at ihe top in five days." came ti e answer from one who had polling day in view. With the destroyed car blocking the wav the second car euukl not. got through, hut a tramp over tlie range brought relief in ihe form of another car, w hich (ouvoyed Sir Joseph and a portion of the party on to Upper Kaimai. Though Sir Joseph warn so late in m riving the people had lo see him and give him a hearty welcome. A' 1 ,ower Kaimai, too. they were waiting and ui-istoil i n entertaining him and levioc him speak. Having pai'ia.ken oi ll.eir Im-pitaliiy and received a unanimous vote el confidence. Sir Jo-eph pushed on to Tatil iko. vlic'e he had a great meeting, ii" was received with cheer.-. accorded a unanimous tote u! emilideitee, and d. ..li' amidst removed "beerm/, Co in .in I. a I 11. 'I .mi an.-a l,e wa - met hv a log gathering, winch henrliK cheered hint as lie stepped oil' the