ADVENTUROUS TOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 17 October 1924, Page 4

ADVENTUROUS TOUR

IN THE IIEAIIT OF AUSTHALtA SYDNEY. Oct. !).

Some bright and engaging little episodes of the tour through the heart of Australia for Lord Strndbroke (Governor of Victoria), accompanied hy Lady Stradbroke and others, are related hy Mr W. I’. Nieliolls, who aceompaniod the party in charge of the four motorcars placed at their disposal by tin Adelaide firm, in the ioiig journey the ears UehaveVj splendidly. Considerable excitement, said" Mr Nieliolls on his return to Adelaide last week, was caused at midnight when the party were ramped at Kelly's Well. Everybody slept in the opening, including Lady Strndbroke. who entered into the rough outdoor life with zest. At the wells there was a mob of about -10 camels of an Afghan, and during the night these strayed through the sleeping quarters of the Vice-Hegal party. Several of the sleepers narrowly escaped being trampled on ill their sleep, and for a time.lnefe tins considerable etUnmolioii. “A on try waking up at midnight and see a camel standing over you, and see how quickly you can get out of lied,’’ said Air Nieliolls. Throughout the journey Lady Strndhroke was particularly interested in hird-lile. and spent much time observing the little feathered fold through field glasses. Also, she never lost an opportunity of photographing them whenever possible. Good shooting was to had at Warlock Ponds, where several geese, ducks, and filing foxes were set tired hy the gunmen. Flying foxes were particularly troublesome, keeping everyone awake at nigbt with their screaming. At Mntarnr.hu (a Government station) the travellers thoroughly enjoyed

u swim in the hot springs, at a river which is a tributary of the Hoper. Mere Ladv Stradbroke greatly enjoyed a feast of pan pan. a luscious native fruit. Lord and Lady Stradbroke subsequently travelled bv train to Darwin. On their way to rejoin the party. Lady Stradbroke suffered as a result of a foreign substance lodging in her eye. In endeavouring to clear it. she used the wrong lotion, and on rejoining the party, high speed was made with the cars to Maraiibnv, where she received ii treatment at the hospital. Ten points of rain fell while the ,uirtv were al Newcastle Waters. Iml the eats were successful in negotiating the black soil plains which were exceptionally rough. At Anthony’s ..Lagoon I lie local policeman made Lady Stradbroke a present ol some line spociintMis ol ril>!>nn-stom\ si rsuo nunoral found only at Anthony’s Lagoon. The party poked up an old hnshnian who was training to I.ongreaeh. and decided to give him a lift for part of his journey. However, lie proved so useful at washing dishes and being handy man generally.' (hilt he went along with the party for the whole distance. Just outside of Poulin the Governor and Ladv Strndbroke. who were in the lending ear, came across a mob ol emus, and Lord Stradbroke promptly gave chase, the ear taking all obstacles in is stride. The utter disregard for safetv at which the Governor drove, caused perturbation among the other members of the party, and it was Lady Stradbroke who eventually persuaded him to desist. At l.lntirheidii Station, in Queensland. the travellers came upon a porcupine. Lady Stradbrolo- promptly dismounted, and with a piece of a petrol case endeavoured to turn the spinv litti.' fellow on his back, lb' resisted s |,uilly. and it was not without a ugh! that, he was eventually capsized. Another incident ol interest occurred al CTiatsworth Station, in Queeuslant.. v. here a day was spent. At nearby cut tie camp black boys were engaged in cutting out the bullocks from a mob

of -ib mt i:> animals for purposes ol zrnnding. etc. Lord Stradbroke mount ed |inr--e. and unaided. Mice led m culling out a bullock, milch to the delight of Lady Stradbroke. wlm was an interested spectator. The Govcrnm .bowed himself to tie a line horseman.