A TRIP TO PALMERSTON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 908, 22 October 1910, Page 3

A TRIP TO PALMERSTON.

BY MOTOR BIKE. Two well-known Foxtoniaus had a rather trying experience with a motor cycle, to which was attached a side car, on Tuesday and Wednesday last. They wished to go to Palmerston, but thought the means of transit that the majority of Foxton residents are forced to make use of —the train — was too slow for them, aud decided to make the trip by motor cycle. All the necessary preparations for the journey being completed, the tourists started away in high feather on Tuesday afternoon. The motor was on its best behaviour, and the journey from Foxton to the Chicago of New Zealand was made in real good time. The business necessitating the trip being completed, and after the visitors had satisfied the cravings of the inner man, a start was made from the Square for home at about six o'clock. The motorists were ou the best of terms with themselves, but their joy was shortlived, for they had only got as far as the Central Hotel when the motor was seized with a tremendous thirst or something—anyhow, it refused to pass the “ pub.” On looking for the cause of the trouble, it was found that a pin had broken. All the bicycle shops were closed, aud the cyclists were at their wits end to know how to fix the machine. Their distress attracted the attention of a kindly blacksmith who vyas standing nearby and upon learning the cause of the trouble he volunteered to manufacture a new pin for the machine. Au adjournment was made to the shop aud the

Foxtonians took turn about at the

bellows, whilst the brawny blacksmith fashioned out the iron. The machine was repaired and as it was

getting towards the bewitching hour of midnight and the hard work put it on the bellows had sharpened their appetites, the cyclists visited an adjoining grill shop before again starting on their journey. The striking of twelve on the Post Office clock was the signal for making a start and all went well until they got somewhere iu the viciur.y of Awapuni, when, lo’ the machine stopped. Half past twelve and a couple of miles from the nearest hotel, with a jibbing motor bike is not a very pleasant experience, but the cyclists were not disheartened and immediately started to overhaul ■the machine iu order to discover the cause of the trouble. For hours they toiled, screwing and uuscrewiug nuts and generally playing the deuce, but the machine still refused to budge. Four o’clock arrived and the owner of the bike without a word took the rug from off the side car and silently made his way towards some trees on the roadside. His companion was so engrossed in looking for nuts, screws, etc., that he did not notice his departure and upon looking up a few minutes later was horrified to find that he had gone. A diligent search was made and the searcher was eveu-

tually rewarded by stumbling over the prostrate form of his mate who endeavouring to snatch a few winks under the shelter of the stately pines. He roused him up and urged him to do his duty’ by standing by the motor in case it should take a fit into its head and bolt for home. The coming of dawn warned them that breakfast time was approaching and after consulting together for some time the decision was arrived at that the only course open to them was to return to Palmerston. We will draw a veil over the scene that followed -they were covered with dust, oil and benzine from head to foot, aud presented a very miserable appearance as they pushed the bike Palmerstonwards. Footsore and weary they reached Palmerston at about seven o’clock, and, fearing that their appearance might attract the attention of the police, they kept to the less-fre-quented streets. The bike was left in a stable aud the travellers made their way to an hotel where they spruced themselves up as much as possible, and, after having breakfasted took the bike to a shop for repairs. They were told that it would be ready for them iu the afternoon aud the intervening time was spent in seeing the s ; ghts of the city. In order to allay their many friends’ anxiety as to their safety telehpone messages were despatched to Foxton, they at the same time stating that they would arrive home that night. At 5.20 p.m. a fresh start was

made for home. However, a little way down Foxlon Liue more trouble was experienced, and whilst eudeavouriug to liud the reason why the motor refused to go the Foxtou train passed them. The machine could not be persuaded to move, and a kindly German arriving on the scene with a horse and trap offered to tow them to Palmerston. However they decided to leave the machine at the back of a house nearby and got the man Icom the land of saur kraut to drive them to a motor garage in Palmerston where a car was engaged, at the cost of two “notes,” to convey them home. It was now ten minutes to seven and as both of them were urgently required in Foxlon by eight o’clock at the latest there was no time to lose. Telegrams were despatched advising that they were

coming by motor and a stun was made at four minutes to seven. No time was lost on the journey, F'oxtou being reached at eight o’clock. The travellers arrived apparently little the worse lor their experience, with the exception of the “pocket,” the cost of the trip, including repairs to the bike, being somewhere about a “tenner.” Rather an expensive

outing considering the trip could have been made by train for as many shillings.