YOUNG SWISS JOURNALIST

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28222, 9 March 1957, Page 4

YOUNG SWISS JOURNALIST

TWO MONTHS IN N.Z. PLANNED

Two earthquakes, the collapse of a bridge under his van and his arrest on suspicion of spying have been among the less-welcome incidents met with by Mr Jean-; Claude Zschau, a 26-year-old Swiss journalist, during a trip which has already taken him half-way round the world.

Mr Zschau, sporting a neat, dark beard, reached Christchurch yesterday in his van, which he has driven for 26.000 miles since he left his home town, Neuchatel, just over a year ago.

He said that the roads he had already, used in New Zealand, and those in Western Australia, were the best he had known since leaving Europe, but that our traffic was slow by international standards.

One of the earthquakes he has suffered was in Afganistan. when 150 persons were killed. The other was in Beirut. Lebanon.

It was also in Afghanistan that a bridge collapsed under his van, leaving it hanging by the front wheels. It was not much damaged. The Lebanon is again remembered by Mr Zschau because it was while there that he was seized on suspicion of being a Jewish spy. He said yesterday that he was sure it was only his knowledge of English—and being lucky enough to find a police officer who could speak the language—that saved him being shot. Mr Zschau speaks four language.s As well as English he is fluent in French, his mother tongue, German and Italian. These he finds are enough to get by in all but the most difficult circumstances. He will spend two months in New Zealand, most of that time in the North Island which has more attractions for the readers of his articles in Switzerland, France and Belgium. They have their own high peaks within easy reach, but are interested in the Maori people and the thermal regions.