TARANAKI AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 303, 18 December 1908, Page 3

TARANAKI AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION.

OPENING RUN. Liardet street, in the vicinity oi the Criterion Motor Garage, presented a busy appearance about 2.JU p.m. yesterday, the occasion being the opening ru i ot tile Xaranaki Automobile Association. "Care lor a run to luglewood»' cheerily inquired Mr. Beesiou oi a Daiiy Aews reporter, and the proposition was no sooner made than it was accepted. Nine cars and one motor cycle started in the run, the speed being limited to 18 miles an hour, l'romptiy at 3 p.m. Mr. A. Alexander, a vice-president of the Association, led off in a 12-14-h.p. Singer (live-sealer, lour cylinders). Then

followed .Mr. Skeate's 12-14-h.p. lie Dion (ilve-scater, four cylinders), Mr. Ji. Gilwour's 10-12-11.p. Darracq (five-sealer, two cylinders); Mr. G. Bayly's 20-h.p. Cadillac; Mr. F. Mower's 12-14-li.p. Sir Beeston's 10-12-h.p. Brown; Mr. W. Fraser's 10.12-h.p. Alldays; Mr. J. H. l'arker s 8-h.p. De Dion; and Mr. Hoolah's li-li.p. De Dion. Alter passing Fitzroy the larger cars were well together in front and keeping up a steady pace, allowed the smaller ears to keep close up. After the oust of the town was left behind the roads were in beautiful order, and Bell Block was passed in good time. The speed increased along the Sentry Hill-Wai-ongona road, whieh is ideal for fast travelling, and Inglewood was reached iw'ors 1 o'clock. Host Calgher had afternoon tea ready for the motorists, und after a rest the party proceeded to a picturesque spot and were snapshot-

ted. The return journey commenced shortly after 5 p.m., Mr. Alexander again leading off. The delights of motoring were fully enjoyed in the run home, and it was a pretty sight t" see the great Singers, Gladiators, Cadillacs and Darracqs disputing the lead, tk* De Dions, Alldays and Browns fol lowing in hot pursuit. Now travelling fast along the Hat stretches, now crawling like hot, pautiag animals up steep inclines, topping the rises with lifted heads, then plunging down into inviting valleys." On and on, mile after mile was lei t behind, every league opening up fresh views, new pleasures, thrilling enjoyment. What wonders are these triumphs of engineers' art! Quick-ruov : ing monsters eating up the miles of road. Their bright "aprons'' scintillat-

ing in tile sunlight, on they cam;. Quickly shaping themselves, they grow larger and larger, closing up witu a rapid rush and sail swiftly by, dwindling in the distance and they are out oi sight, only to appear again, miles away, like ants climbing tne distant hills, th;i' sombre hue here and there relieved by a gaily-colored Brown or De Dion. Waiongona, Sentry Hill, Bell Block and Fitzroy are passed as in a flash, and before 6 o'clock all the cars arc in town and safely housed. The run, a most successful one, was over without mishap, and the promotv, Air. Beeston, and the worthy secretary of the Association, Mr. Heard, are to be complimented upon the splendidly-con-ducted run and the completeness of the arrangements. Mrs. Beeston, the only lady driver, steered a Brown car in fine style and finished close up. I The Association intend to promot* frequent runs during the summer months, and with such splendid roads the outings promise to be brimful of enjoyment to those fortunate enough to take part in them.