MOTOR CYCLISTS' TOUR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 306, 31 December 1907, Page 3

MOTOR CYCLISTS' TOUR.

WELLINGTON TO XKW PLYMOUTH. The Xew Zealand Motor Cycle Club, with headquarter* at Wellington, tnis ; year decided that the Chris'mas tour should lie to Xew Plymouth, ln.it it was found that only tivi of the members could wake tile I rip. And even these were not able to start together at the time arranged. Two left town on the {Saturday before Christmas, one on .Monday, and another on Tuesday, the fifth electing to leave after having enjoyed his Christmas pudding and mince at home. All had travelled over the road to Pabnerslon liefore. The first party was troubled by duSt, but showers improved the road for the later travellers. The heavy climb up the Paekakariki hill, 81KJ feel above sea level, opened up a glorious view of the country ahead, of the ocean, and of Kapiti Island. Proceeding northwards the road lay through Paraparamu, Waikanae, Otaki, Levin and Shannon. The road was good and level, but near Shannon new metal was troublesome, and the local smith's services had to be requisitioned to straighten out a from Tokomaru then.' w.is a moiistwitJßs recurrence of small hills, many of them nccessit.iting pedalling !>eeause of the short, steep grades. A few miles further on the first- aud only puncture was obtained, but by frequent pumping the machine was ridden to Palnicrstun without great delay. Christmas Eve found four of the party ''doing the Square" in the rain, and on Wednesday morning heavy rain prevented further journeying, so the machines were cleaned up and the

puncture repaireil. The weather cleared | iti the afternoon, and another start was J uiade, but after travelling over muddy j road to Ashhurst hill they returned to ' Palmerston North. An early start next j day was decided on. and at nine uVlock the road was again taken. Fifteen miles of good travelling, and Sandun was passed, the only incident of note being a narow escape from collision with a milk cart which unannounced came flying across a by road across the tr.u k. A road with easy rises was traversed from Bulls. Turakiua and Wangaelm hills were safely negotiated, and alter some more ups and downs, Wanganui was reached. Here the expected telegram was received from theTßl h motorist, who expected to reach U'ang.mui about one o'clock. But he was an hour later, having been misdirected so that he found himself at Ashhurst and Fielding, which meant •>,) miles' extra travel- After some trouble suitable accommodation was found, and the party strolled otr to the jetties, with the idea of taking one of the up-river steamers, But, it being Boxing Day, all the steamers were away on full-day excursions. In the heat that prevailed, rowing washout" of He question, so the travellers strolled by the riverside and compared notes of their experiences on the road. "In the evening," writes one of the party, "we attended a moving picture entertainment, where we Mere foililily | reminded of the old days at the Wellingj ton Opera House. The larrikin elej ment was in evidence in the pit, many ] objectionable remarks, groans and j noises being made as ladies entered the stalls, and also concerning any pictures j which were not of a comic order.'' i For the purposes of this narrative : let us introduce the machines: A j "Triumph,' 3% h.p.,- "(Quadrant.' :|i/, ; h.p.; two "Minervas," 2% h.p.; last : and least a "Motosaeoche" light-weight. :1% h.p. Xo mishaps to the machines ! were ex|ierienced. with the exception of i those already mentioned and a broken exhaust valve at Wanganui. Good ! time was made on the roads, hut the |*rty was out for pleasure, not for re-

cor.ls, so lengthy stays were made where there was anything to be seen. The journey from Wanganni to Waitotara was through excellent seenerv. hilly and winding roads through a sue cession of gorges clothed with beautiful native bush. It was here that the first peep at Mount Egmont was obtained. Good speed was made to Waitotara, but then hard bumpy road was experienced. necessitating more careful travelling I through Waverlev to Patea. the latter | town being reached in time for a poor i dinner at a rich price—the first com- ] plaint on this score. Tfie"Patea hreak- | water was visited, just as two small I steamers took the bar. At 4.30 a start ; was made for TTawera. which town was reached in ffmt; for tea. after bumping and shaking over VEe worst piece of roa3 1 ever encountered hv any one of the

party, not exceptinc the renowned bumpv Huff road. Here the stoclr of naptha was replenished. ans flic partv stayed overnight. Saturday morning saw the whole party out for New Plymouth. The bad road continued to Xormanby. lint better progress was made through Eltham. Stratford, and Tnglewood. with Monnt Egmont as a fine landmark- on the left. The road from Tnglewood to Xew Plymouth wns the finest struck on the "whole journey |of 2-tO miles from Wellington—a tribute to the ability and care of the TnTAnr.kl county road foremen. Xew Plymoutl wa- reached about mjd dav on Patiir dav. '

"On the whole.'* «aul one of fhr> party. hive been very fortunate in bavin? experienced none of t* r frOubJps ..-naPv cnn.ifif.ri'tl ip W fhe lot of the motor errlist. We had excellent wea- I ther. with the eveeption of fhrMmas 1 ftor. and hnve done the 1 rip on economical lines. The average quantitv nf nnpttn n=o/l was 2-illonß. Nt a cost of about fire shilling*. Tn-f. T.n< »-rw i b»a*t. we have been amplv rewarded at I the f-»d of our jonrnev bv the many atl tracti"«* of ronr benntifnllv-«ifii;jf».d Vw Flvntonfb. T mav «>v that none '>f iu U v »onne< t«>d the mnfor evcle and we have n<> inj.>rin am* mobo r>f i'vul,;-. n Vwn?»il t lvf> n*e obHin from tin* T > i»rTinns w, have 1 little 'swelled T» A *>d.' for '»-r> ]>•■>'-<-> since o«r arrive] en pnrtv ha* * rA r come thron;*.!i with little trouHe."