ADVENTUROUS MOTOR JOURNEY

Hokitika Guardian, 21 January 1930, Page 2

ADVENTUROUS MOTOR JOURNEY

THROUGH THE FAR NORTH

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, January 18,

A party of Wellington motorists travelling in six cars returned to Auckland to-day after ploughing through northern mud during the past past fortnight on a trip to Spirits Bay in the extreme north. Tho Party comprised Misses A. Barton, H. Whvte, C. Johnston and V. Hutchinson, Messrs P. B. B. Nichols, P. Brandon, H. Richardson and 0. Levin. The cars ranged in size from a baby to a sedan. The party left Wellington on Christmas Eve, came north through Taranaki, then, undiscouraged by terrible weather and seas of mud, the party pushed right up to Spirits Bav where they mounted horses and travelled to Cape Reinga one of the northernmost' headlands. On the return they dug toheroas at Ninety Mile Beach, one car being kept running in case it was needed to tow the others out. At the Bay of Islands they did deep sea fishing, but only caught a stingaree. „ , Between Wellsford and Helensville four of the cars were hogged. The other two turned back and were sent over the next stage by rail. As many as nine cars were bogged at once at the same spot. Mr Levin, interviewed, said that the men of the party could not speak too highly of the courage of the ladies. “Had it not been for them,” he remarked, “we should not have got through, for they were always cheerful, when we felt like returning.” He also paid a tribute to the Auckland Automobile Association for the effective markings, even where roads were not properly 'formed. Alter the nnulcaked ears received attention the party left for Rotorua anil Taupo, camping out and returning home after tle week-end having travelled 2400 miles.