TO HERMITAGE AND BACK.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 30 March 1926, Page 2

TO HERMITAGE AND BACK.

UNDER EIGHT HOURS. A AVONDERFUL CAR. ..Breakfast at Timaru, lunch at tho Hermitage, and tea at Timaru, all within the space of one , day, and with two or three hours available for a pleasant walk to the foot of the Hooker) Glacier does not perhaps represent a, .world's record for motor speed, but when accomplished with a total running time, to the Hermitage anti hack, a distance of 268 miles, of 7 hours 58 minute.';, with the utmost of ease and comfort, it undoubtedly represents a triumph of engineering skill and motor hotly construction. A 5-si'ntcr. Standard Six Duplex Studebaker Phaeton was the vehicle responsible. Leaving the garage of -Messrs Adams Ltd. at half-past seven on Sunday morning, tho Studebaker, with a full load of five passengers, including all equipipent, of nearly half a ton, made a quick run up through the agricultural country anti through Fairlie to the tree-flanked valley of Burke’s Pass, tlio summit, 2000 feet above sec level, being reached after oir: and a half hours run. From tho Pass, a quick run was made down to Tefcapo. In the calm morning light, tho waters of the lake presented a glorious sight, a sunlit stretch of turquoise blue stretching away to tho mountains, which rose in delightful ■shades of purple and brown above that opalescent expanse of brightness. Another lovely plain was traversed before Lake Pukuki was reached at 10.15. Hero a. splendid view of Mount Cook was obtained from the loot of tin; lake, tho great Aorangi rising 40 miles away, to its majestic heights, ltead and shoulders over the other ranges. The final run along tho shores of tho lako was done iu good time, although the rough nature of the road mitigated against any attempt at fast travelling. Tlio one and only puncture was received a few mile 3 from tho destination, which was reached at twelve o’clock. After a short expedition up. the. Hooker river, and a very pleasant dinner at the Hermitage, the return journey was commenced at 2.37, Pukaki being reached at six minutes past four, and Tekapo an hour later. Afternoon tea at the lakeside provided a very pleasing break, and the .final stage was commenced at 5.34. ; . Approaching the Pass, the., conditions,': which had been almost perfect throughout the day, changed suddenly, heavy cloud hanks rolling' over -the dividing range and bringing promise of dirty weather on the other side. The very convenient arrangement of the Studebakcr top, however, quickly dispelled any anxiety .regarding weather conditions, and by pulling down the tom' side roller curtains, the car was converted,' at a moment’s notice, into at cosy limousine. Taking tho summit at 40 miles ah hour, the Studebaker at once left the sunshine behind, the remainder of tho distance to * J. l airJie being travelled in the gloom of heavily hanked clouds. Tekapo to I airlie, a distance of 27 miles, was covered in 33 minutes, and the Fairlio lost Office was passed at twelve minutes past six. A light misty rain made, its appcnrancc shortly after leaving Albury, and what with the very uncertain light prevailing at that hour, I driving conditions proved . far , from j perfect, nevertheless, splendid time | was made, Timaru being -reached at [ seven o’clock, after exactly a 48 lv.inuto run ..from 'the Mackenzie capital, the total running time lrom tho Hermitage occupying, '3 hours ol minutes. Taking into consideration., tho nature of the roads • from Tekapo to tiie Hermitage, especially over tne upper portion of tho route, the total running time, 268 miles in 7 hours 58 minutes, constitutes a very meritorious performance. To a “Herald” representative, who accompanied tho party, the most remarkable feature of tho trip, however, was tlio ease and comtoit in which it was accomplished. On level stretches, speeds of 45 to 50 miles could, only for tho .speedometer, hardly have been believed, so smoothly dul the car hang to the road. In negotiating sudden bends', particularly on tho road winding around the shores of Lake Pukaki, the Studebaker hydraulic four-wheel break system proved an enormous advantage, the knowledge that instantaneous control was always available permitting ' a greater latitude in regard to speed than otherwise would have been the case. lhe Duplex steel top, fitted with roller curtains that can be instantly pulled down by hand, proved tv very special boon. At the commencement, and also in the concluding stages of the trip when the car was closed, coats were suporflous luggage, so snugly fitting were the curtains. As the day advanced, the car was converted into an open model by .springing up the curtains whenever a. desire for fresh air and sunshine was felt, this proving one of the most enjoyable features ot the trip. At the conclusion of the 208 mile journey the Studebaker engine was running as sweetly ant. with tlio same silky purr as when e,milling the i'lgher altitudes of the Alpine country, while as for the occupants, it was obvious that neither passenger noi d.ivcr had suffered the least d.seomlort or inconvenience as the result of tlu u long trip. -■*