HOW FOXTON GOT ITS ENGINE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2294, 25 June 1921, Page 2

HOW FOXTON GOT ITS ENGINE.

AND SUNDRY INCIDENTS CONNECTED THEREWITH.

(By Old Sport.)

Serving the public isn’t all beer and skittles, and the sacrifices made at times in the public interest, and grave risks run to life and business interests, are oft forgotten, and seldom recorded. Foxton wanted an engine. I say Foxton wanted an engine for pumping purposes in connection with the water and sewerage works. A likely one was on sale in far-off Patea —the place where power houses get washed into the sea, and wild bulls play pitcli and toss with pedestrians at odd times in the main thoroughfare. Four valiant and public-spirited neros set out after that engine at 6.30 a.in. on Wednesday, 22nd, expecting to arrive at Patea about 11 o’clock. D.id 1 say by motor car 1 ? Reached Wanganui 0.K., a little behind schedule time, on account of a puncture. Put ear in garage while the four sampled Wanganui lemonade, and heard all about the trams that go —sometimes. Their errand was kept a deep secret" from the prying Wanganui Councillors, who are endeavouring to dispose of a plant they bought from Napier, about which plant much has been said and written. Set off from Wanganui, roads moderate, but slippery. Three miles from Waitotara steering gear refused duty rather suddenly while going about 30 m.p.li. on a beautiful level stretch of road. The ear displayed Bolshevik tendencies, and hit the bank at the roadside. The two in front wondered what had happened. The two behind could have told them — but didn’t get the chance until two minutes later, when the one who went for a dive over the side of the car, the while performing a wonderful gyroscope stunt, got on to his feet again. The front wheel that hit the bank first parted company from the rest of the car, and had to bo brought back, again. A movie trick act was fool to the tableau. There was the ear poised at an angle of 45 degrees. By good fortune a Waitotara County Council Leyland lorry, with a road grader in tow, was approaching when the spectacular stunt occurred. First aid to the injured was applied, and then, with -the aid of the lorry, the party succeeded in doing another £lO worth of damage trying to tow the unfortunate car off the roadway. At last a jug of tea arrived, with the farmer nearby whose place the incident occurred, to whom the party were greatly indebted for the refresher, and also for kindness in

offering to look after the removable articles in the car, etc. The telephone had meanwhile summoned a taxi from Waitotara, which carried the city fathers to Waverle.v (about 6 miles), where the party was taken under the ample wings of a wellknown local flaxiniller, who kindly placed his Elizabeth ijt their disposal. and personally drove them to llmir destination. The urgent and important business deal haying been clinched, hunger called the party to attention, the time being then about

3 p.m. Three cars had thus far been availed of in getting there. While in Patea, the party surprised another ex-Foxton citizen —an ex-

“Herald” angel—who sent kind messages to all old Foxton friends,

and also commiserated with them in [heir misfortune. Journey accomplished, engine bought, hunger satislied, what about Foxton and home? The aforesaid Elizabeth, with the genial William at the wheel, conveyed the party back to WaveriCy—in

ihe rain. Heavens, how it rained! Henceforward it was a case of snailway homeward. At 5.30 a train left Waverier minus one of

ihe party, who remained to supervise repairs to his damaged car. Three only were now left —a sad, wet and sorry crew, who Look their seats in the train at Waverley, en route for Wanganui. Some careful individual had thoughtfully left the windows of the carriage open, and the wet seals added greatly,..to the comfort (sic) of the party. Something went wrong with the inner workings o'f one of the jxtrty—mal-de-mer —which placed him hors-de-coinbnt for about five minutes, after which he said he felt better. Wanganui lights came into view at last, and at 10 to 8 the neros. trooped round in the rain looking for a bed. Accommodation was subsequently located —and paid for in advance, in order to save appearances and further questioning. There was little luggage, only otic hag' between the three, and that a paper one-colW turning apples. No combs, no shavers, no per jumpers—just what they stood up in! Bedtime came at last, hut at 5.45 a.m. came the fatal knock on the door: “Time to get up, gentlemen." -Breakfast and a scramble in the rain for the 7 a.m. train to Palmerston, reaching there

at 11 run. —a trot up Main Street and hack again to warm their tootsies, and into the Foxton train at 11.30, and home sweet home —with

the aid of three motor cars and two trains. That’s how Foxton got its engine. One of the party said he’d sooner sell rags at 21 per cent, for “the rest of his natural” than take ori a similar ride again!”