ACROSS AFRICA IN A MOTOR.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9389, 8 March 1909, Page 3

ACROSS AFRICA IN A MOTOR.

The motoring hero of the moment is undoubtedly Lieutenant Graetz, the young German officer who is journeying across Africa to Swakopmund, German South West Africa, in a 50 h.p. Guggeneau car. It is now almost 17 months since Lieutenant Graetz made a start from Dar-es-Salaam, the principal town in German East Africa; but 12 of these have been spent in various unavoidable delays, such as bridgebuilding, road-making, motor repairs and frequent running short of petrol, fresh supplies having to be awaited. He had marvellous lock with his tires, bis first.set lasting him for 4800 miles. Lieutenant Graetz had many thrilling experiences. When he had covered but 500 miles of his journey his chauffeur ran the car into a river and the cylinders exploded. Fresh cylinders bad to be sent for from Europe before he could proceed, and then his chauffeur fell ill from blackwater fever, and his place had to be filled, which caused another . delay. Between Abercorn and Koronga he encountered a river which was impossible to bridge, consequently, with the assistance of’kaffirs, he was compelled to make 600 miles of road through the bush. At Piooa che petrol that had been sent on in advance was found to have Evaporated, and, five weeks were wasted while a fresh supply was sent for from Fort Jameson. At this time the lieutenant’s food consisted of such dainty morsels as cranes and frogs. At Broken Hill there was a month's delay. As" a result of the rain and heat, the wood of the wheels had expanded and contracted, and the snoke-sorews broke, through into the tires. He reached Johannesburg on December 11th, and at the present time should be making bis way across the Kalahari desert. Supplies of petrol have been forwarded to various points along the route, and he carries 800 gallons with him. Lieutenant Qraetz’s object is to discover whether it is possible to travel across Africa motor oar, to learn something of the interior, and to get some shooting.