ANOTHER TRIUMPH FOR THE WHITE.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 16, 19 January 1924, Page 12

ANOTHER TRIUMPH FOR THE WHITE.

Big Bus Goes From Auckland to Opunake. Enthusiasm On its Appearance. The -White" Trucks and Dumps have played a wonderful part in opening up rupjttd portions of New Zealand l>v furfishing good roads, and now the "White" bus in turn is tarrying passptigers in luxurious comfort over The roads" where none but an occasional pedestrian made his way slowly and with difficulty. It would be an interesting chapter ill the history of Now Zealand if the exploits of the '■White" were written up. But. it is mil all plain sailing as yet. and. pending the necessary work, the'"White" just takes the pod" with the bad. At. 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 10. n 30-passenger "White"' * left Auckland from the Aioior Body Building Works of (iilmour. Joll and Williams. Ltd. It . made a brave show, painted ivory-white, | with dark facings, and its interior upholstered in figured grey leather. \othing showing a greater contrast, from the old coaching days of New Zealand could be imagined. Its wonderful engine purred softly as the final preparations were made, and then the big representative of modern road travel slid off as softly as an express train. The first stop was at Hamilton, even the very had state of the Ranjririris, in tlie darkness, offering no impedimeni to the tremendous reserve power of the bus. Places said to be impossible to negotiate were met, but the power of' Hie "White" came to the rescue and the bus got through with something to spare. From Hamilton next day to Mokau. through Te Kuiti and the Awakino Valley Komi—very bad going for very many miles, as every motorist knows. Pot holes, treacherous turns, and greasy ineliiics taxed the skill of the driver of the big vehicle, but always he had the reserve power and steadiness of his wonderful engine, so that he emerged triumphant. Next morning Mokau was left at S a.m., and over Mt. Messenger the "White" Dumps were at work on the ronds, so that now the going v ''as of the best,, and Xcw Plymouth was reached after lunch, in time for one of the passengers to take, his place in a game of howls. The whole trip was accomplished without accident, and the bus. which had f/loes sides anil back, arrived without ;i scratch or a break, a tribute to the smoothness of i.lio engine and the workmanship of the body. The bus v.oa at once placed in commission. Settlers along "this road are connoisseurs in motor bus work, because they have been well served for a number of years, but. here is what the local paper says about the advent of this new "White": — "The coming of the first, train to Opunake, an event that has been looked forward to for the last thirty years, could not. have caused more excitement in the coastal township than did the arrival of the Gibson Motors' new saloon ''White" bus, which commenced its daily run on the New Plymouth-Opunako route on Tuesday evening. This commodious bus, with its roomy seats and luxurious appointments, was voted the very last tiling in modem travel by all who saw it, and this opinion was confirmed by a run along the Eltham Road, Here the surface is not tar sealed, yet Die bus ran very smoothly. On the morning run back to New Plymouth yesterday the bus was well patronised, and crowds assembled at various points along the. route to see the bus. Gibson Motors' enterprise in putting such a luxurious vehicle on the road is appreciated br settler?. '"The vehicle is ofOO-passonger capacity, the body being built by Messrs. fJilmour, .Toll and Williams, Ltd., Auckland, agents for the "White." It is sprung as well as a touring ear, thprp is abundant room between the seats, and all the little, details of comfort and convenience which this experienced firm of builders understands co well, have been included." In these days of expert cost accounting the nroiit of motor transport can be gauged accurately, and it is found that the "White" on all roads, in all weathers, and under all conditions, does its work smoothly, economically and well. It spends its time on the road, not in the repair garaee, it has power and to spare, and it is the easiest of all on its tyres, lubricating oil and benzine, three of the hip- items wherein tremendous waste is possible.. Certainly if anyone reoutres a motor bus. arid buys it. on a business basis, the ''White" should be his choice '• (Ad.) ' —