INTERESTING MOTOR TOUR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 40024, 16 November 1929, Page 3

INTERESTING MOTOR TOUR.

- JIMM Y AT THE WHEEL. [By G. F. S.] ( I’ve' really been 'gdiniring Jimmy all day. Jimmy commands admiration. 'The manner in which he handles his “big six” is tritely won-, derful —-sixty miles per hour down to six miles per hour. Up hills, down hills, over bridges, round hair-pin bends, quick reverses, slow reverses, he simply evokes admiration. ißut there is one thing I wish Jimmy would not do and that is let his driving wheel sort of spin lightly round his finger tips when lie is straightening his ear up. Iff spite of -this, or because of it, I find myself to-niglil in a little place called Weber, high up in the mountains, somewhere in Hawke’s Bay. As 1 stand at my open window and gaze upon the beauty of the scene spread out before me, I reflect upon a wonderful day. At 4.15 a.m. I left Foxton and exactly one hour later I garaged my ear, hopped into Jimmy’s - and started, on the journey. In something under two hours we were in Wjaipukurau waiting for the breakfast gong to clang. Half an hour later, with the “inner man” contented and the benzine tank replenished, we set for the trip through what must he some of the ■ ' "

FINEST SHEEP COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.

Into the heart of fhe hill country over wonderfully good roads, up hill-and down dale, sheep "grazing .everywhere, we eventually arrived at tiie township of. Porangahan. Whilst Jimmy transacted business I cruised around and was not long in meeting AN OLD FOXTON IDENTITY.

Now it is truly remarkable the number of places one can go to and if one only knew it, there would be found someone from Foxton. Well, here is Mr. €. Tricklebank, father, of the Tricklebank boys, the wellknown joeikeys. He is hale and hearty and carries his fifteen stone with becoming dignity. And why should lie not? for lie truly is Porangahnu itself. He is the local butcher, hotel proprietor, sweet and fruit shops owner, moving picture then tire, proprietor, gardener and, at times, dentist! Truly, an all-round man in more senses than one. He was horn in 1868 down the old Moivtoa Tr(im Road, Foxton. He wished to he very kindly remembered to old 'Foxton friends, many of whose names he mentioned to me. Whilst iir'bhe store at Porangahau, 1 was interested in a couple of Maoris shopping —one wanted a pair of socks —the salesman enquired the size of his boots and was told quite seriously small twelves. The salesman was at a loss what to do when the other Maori suggested that two pairs be bought and his mate could then put two socks on each foot.

From Porangahau over more hilly roads we eventually came to Wimbledon. Wimbledon is distinguished by a store, an hotel and a bowser. Here, again, was an-

other all-round mail —small sheep 'fanner, dairy farmer, poultry farmer, gardener and hotel proprietor. There are more Wavs than one of getting a. living. From Wimbledon to Ti Tree and on to Weber, e Well, as the Yanks say, “this is some drive!” Roads narrow, but surfaces good and all the wav I had one eye on Jimmy and the other on the scenery —admiring both. For rugged grandeur, for wealth of majestic mountain scenery and extremely fertile sheep country, this journey excels everything. We have travelled far, tea is over, the birds whistle there evening vespers, lambs bleat, a dog barks and all is still. A peacefulness pervadcs tlie air and as. the evening sun dims the view of the wonderful mountains, I know l shall sleep well and waken early to see the -dawn light up and unfold to view again the glories of this one little portion of “Gods Own Country.” Alas, for good resolutions, the dawn beat me, for when I drew up the blinds the landscape was bathed in sunshine and Jimmy was in the bath. I never knew Jimmy could sing—it surely is the bathroom which develops latent talent. Well, onward we go travelling along the base -of the hills beside the 'winding banks of the Akitio river to beautiful Waione. The stove proprietor here evidently treats the store more as a side line for he was not at home hut was later discovered on his sheep farm -along with four other men perspiring from the energies demanded by shearing. ’Tis a- long' time .since I saw the shearers at work, so I found intense interest in watching the skilful manner in which these physically fit men plied the machine-dri-ven shears and robbed the sheep of its beautiful lleeee for the profit of man and the country. '

Ten miles more of twisting and turning in harmony with the continual bends of the road and we aririved at

PONGOROA

in time for lunch. Here is a typical country village. Office is a fine modern structure and the bank a splendid two-storied building. The word Pongaroa should mean windy, for when the gales rage, windows, are covered with heavy battens to prevent them, from being blown in. Pongaroa, is a quiet, picturesque little place and quite a good business centre. From here there is a wonderful climb over the Pukitoi Ranges to Makuri. For the lover of the majesty of the mountains this is a glorious journey. Ma.knlri is prettily situated on the 'baulk of the Makuri river. There is excellent hotel accommodation and from December to April this is fully taxed by fishermen who find the river abounding with trout. The final stage of the journey is

through the Makulri gorge, with wooded hills on one side and the river hanks :below- —four miles of scenic beauty to delight the eyes before again reaching the dusty highways. For the remainder of the journey from Palliat-ua to Foxton, I have nought- but pleasant

reflections and a desire to some day do the journey again.