1000-MILE TRIP

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3262, 12 May 1943, Page 4

1000-MILE TRIP

BOY’S LONG CYCLING TOUR

SHORT STOP IN PAEROA '

WANGANUI TO GISBORNE That the spirit of adventure, is not dead was proved by a Wanganui youngster, Jim Young, aged 14 years, the eldest son of Archdeacon J. R. Young, of Wanganui, who passed through Pae-

roa on Tuesday morning in the course of a 1000-mile cycling and camping tour from his home town to Auckland and home via the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and the

Hawke’s Bay. A student at the Wanganui Collegiate, Jim left Wanganui on Thursday afternoon, April 29, proceeding up the Parapara to a few miles past Raetihi where he camped the first night. Next day he pushed on through the centre of New Zealand, spending the night- at the Taumarunui Camping Ground. %

Short Stay in Hamilton On the following day he did not set out on his journey until the afternoon, camping that night near Te Kuiti and next day pushed on to Te Awamutu, reaching Hamilton early. the following day, having a good look around that town. Bad weather prevented him from setting out next morning but in the afternoon h-g again travelled north, camping that night at Te Kauwhata. Auckland ,was. reached just after mid-day the next day and the weekend was spent in sight-seeing in that city. First Puncture at Ngatea On Monday, May 10' he left Auckland, travelling to Ngatea where he experienced his first puncture early in the afternoon. This prevented him from pushing on that day and residents of that township, Mr and Mrs D. Waugh invited the boy to spend the evening with them. t

* -The ride into Paeroa next day was accomplished with ease, provisions being purchased before he again set out for Katikati where he intended to spend Tuesday night.

From Katikati he proposes to visit Tauranga, Whakatane, Opotiki, Gisborne, Wairoa, Napier, through the Hawkes’ Bay to Dannevirke, Woodville and home via the Manawatu Gorge, Palmerston North to Wanganui.

Little Gear Carried The boy is riding an ordinary B.S.A. cycle fitted with three-speed gears and is carrying a pack weighing approximately 881 b. The only gear in the pack is a small hiker’s tent, a sleeping bag, toilet requisites, a change of clothing and a large enamel mug. A sheath knife is also carried on his belt.

When questioned by a Gazette representative he stated he boiled his mug over a fire to make a warm 'drink and used either wire or a stick to prepare toast i over his fire. 1000 'Miles In Four Weeks

Only four weeks have been allowed by the youthful tourist to make this round trip tour covering 1000-odd miles of the North Island of New Zealand. When he left the Gazette Office the boy was in the best of health, thoroughly enjoying his adventure and taking a keen interest in all he saw en route.