THE WHEEL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2331, 17 March 1892, Page 3

THE WHEEL.

A Bicycle Trip to the Otago Lakes via Central Otago, February, 1892., By C J. Goldstone and Jas. Gillespie. [Written by Cushion-tyre.] It had long been my ambition to have a lengthened tour to some interesting places in the South Island, and the harvest holidays just ended seemed an opportune time. I proposed the idea to my friend q. t w ho warmly took it up, and the affair soon became practicable, as we had the latest pattern machines built to order, viz., the Diamond-Frame Cushion-Tyre Zealandia Safety, built by Mr N. Oates, Christchurch. The trip was one of great length, and was an admirable means of testing our newly-made machines. We showed our backs to our respective schools for a month, and laid ourselves out for a month’s pioneering or exploring on bicycles, if it may be so called. Clad in the usual wheel apparel—with our valises, ordinary school hags—attached to the front of the machines, and containing _ changes of clothing and other necessaries, with our lamps for use by night, and our bel[s _ aa means of warning by day, we bade adieu to Temuka on Saturday, 30th January, 1892, at 11 o’clock, and after an hours easy pedalling we reached Timaru. After having finished our business and made all further preparations for our journey we left Timaru at 3.30, with the best wishes for “ a jolly good time of it ” and “ a safe return” from our fellow club men, the Timaru Tourists. It was our intention to go no further than Otaio, sixteen miles south of Timaru, that night, so after an hour’s riding over the hilly and undulating country south of Timaru we came face to face with the Pareora unbridged. Well, there was no alternative for it but to cheerfully take off our boots and stockings and wade through tee four or five successive streams that the erratic river forms. The river-bed is rather wide and rough. Notwithstanding this, we mounted our machines, still with our boots dangling round our necks, and rode barefooted across the track. I may safely say ft little of that work would gP a long way with me. Tq add to our discomfiture it now came on to rain, and ere we reached Otaio we were wet through. This ducking, so early on our tour tended to damp our spirits, but with dry clothes and a bountiful tea we felt more comfortable. The whole of the next day, Sunday, was spent at the hospitable and lovely homestead of Mr A.. Martin > ft gentleman whose benignant qualities are known for many miles around. On Monday morning, at 9 o’clock we loft Otaio for Waimate, it being our intention to visit the Waimate District High School, 1 which is, without a doubt, one of the best 1 conducted and organised in the colony.

The roads from Otaio to Waimate, a distance of fourteen miles, are very good, being hard and even ; so after an hour’s run we reached the thriving little town of Waimate, prettily situated at the base of the hills, and abounding with natural bush. Here we met with an old Temuka resident, in the person of Mr Goltman, who kindly introduced us to tue bead master of the school, Mr Adams. So in the latter’s charge we were shown through the Waimate School, and spent a couple of hours very agreeably. The success of the above school is easily traceable to the excellent gentlemen at the head of the staff. After dinner with Mr Goltman and a look round the track, and Victoria Park, we left at 1.45 p.m. for Oamaru, which was not reached till nearly 6. p.m. The road, after you leave Waimate is good till Waihao is passed, and for four or five miles on the north side of the Waitaki the road is awfully bad, being over tussocks, and huge boulders, quite sufficient to make one glad when a fairly decent road is reached. The surface is bare and shingly, and consequently a good road ever being there is a matter of doubt. At 4 p.m. we reached Glenavy, perhaps better known as Waitaki North, a bleak, miserable place situated among the tussocks and rocky boulders. This place is just at the northern end of the Waitaki, a distance of fourteen miles from Oamaru. The Waitaki was sending down several heavy streames of water as we passed over by the bridge, which serves as a road and railway bridge. (lo he continued.')