KNIGHTS OF THE ROAD

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 184, 25 October 1927, Page 7

KNIGHTS OF THE ROAD

NIGHTS OF ADVENTURE (Written for THE SUN.) Through the thin blue veil of dust hurled up by the long line of motorcars leaving Hamilton for Auckland from the Te Rapa races, the SUN motor service car thrusts its way. Night has closed upon the landscape. Ahead a stationary tail-light, then another, and yet another. The heavy Cadillac rolls past and the grinding of the brakes denotes an urgency matter. On the narrow causeway near Mercer a row of vehicles—ever increasing—stands. With its nose dipped down into a flax bush, and its tail high in the air a deroaded service car, with its engine running and clouds of smoke coming from the exhaust, is exciting the anxious comment of a fast increasing crowd. The SUN service car driver is a knight of the road and his duty is to his comrade in distress. He calls for all available man-power and gear, and meets, with ready response from his passengers. No motors seemed to have either chains or rope. At last a thin flexible, exceedingly oily, bit of semi-clothes line wire was produced and a volunteer car backed up to the deroaded one. Willing helpers get to the running board, the leeboard is under, and the effort is pitifully weak. An appeal to get to the other side does not meet with ready response. No wonder. It leans over 45 degrees, and may capsize altogether. More cars arrive and more advice. It is easy to see that all the best engineering talent of the Dominion is on the job. At last a good length of manila, probably New Zealand flax, is secured, and two cars are harnessed to the tow. The engine is set full in reverse and revolving wheels and prodigious smoke denote things happening. The effort fails and a new brainwave carries the line of pull to the other axle. A long queue of willing hands sways away and groaning dismally, the fixture is dragged back to safety, and the track. As one of the assistants remarked: “That bloke should take two tickets in Tatts.” From conversation it appears that two cars going the same way, rubbing elbows, was the cause of the mishap, THE SUN service man gathers in his flock, and rolling wreaths of dust denote that the rest of the pack is in full cry behind. Thus are the proprieties of motor travel observed by the men of the service. H.C.W.