AN UNENVIABLE EXPERIENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2897, 16 June 1925, Page 3

AN UNENVIABLE EXPERIENCE.

STRANDED OH THE BEACH. A somewhat unenviable experience befel three local motoring enthusiasts on Sunday. Despite the severe southerly gale that was blowing, ii was decided to make a trip along the ocean beach from Foxton to the Rangitikei River. All went well until the return journey was commenced when the full blast of the southerly was experienced. Little notice had been taken of the incoming tide up till this point and before many miles had been accounted for on the home run it was found that; the firm sand was intermittently being swept, over by the breakers. A zig-zag course had then to be taken, the car following the receding waves out on to the hard beach and racing inland again ahead of the oncoming combers. Ten miles of the journey was accomplished in this manner when IJunia's Greek was encountered. Owing to the heavy seas breaking high up the beach it was impossible to cross the creek at the usual place where the sand is firm and a detour had to be made to a spot higher up where to all appearances a crossing could be made with safety. Unfortunately just as the car was half way across the creek, which is particularly wide at this point a wave broke over the car with the result that the engine “coughed out.” During the few minutes that elapsed between the stopping and restarting of the engine the car was sucked down to the running boards in the treacherous sand. Started again the car ploughed abend for a short distance but the strain was too great and the back axle snapped. Nothing daunted, two of the party set to work and jacked up the car and blocked it with wood to stop it sinking further while the third member set out across country for assistance. l-’ortunately Mr. A. Sexton's residence was located about throe miles inland ami on being approached he immediately set out with a horse and the necessary gear to haul the car from it precarious predicament. Darkness had fallen before the beach was reached, however, but the other two of the party were easilv located by a lire which they had built in the shelter of the neighbouring sand hills. After an hour’s strenuous work with the waves constantly washing round the car it was lifted bodily out of the soft sand and pulled it]i on the high ground where it was left in safety until the morning, the adventurers being motored home bv Mr Sexton.

The following morning a four--I,orse team was taken out and the car lowed up the run to the road and Himatangi where another car was in readiness to complete the journey home.