HISTORIC (GOING) PLACES?

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30390, 14 March 1964, Page 12

HISTORIC (GOING) PLACES?

[Bp

WHIM WHAM]

The owner of 200 old cars. Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, says he has never seen so many aged vehicles still in use as he saw tn Christchurch. ... On a world tour Inspecting old cars and visiting clubs for owners of such vehicles, the 39-year-old baron said that Christchurch was outstanding among places ne had seen for the number of venerable automobiles still obviously regularly driven.—News item. Our History’s brief, it has to be confessed: I mean, our History as a modern Nation. Compared with the Old World, we are at Best A rushed-up Job, a flimsy Innovation.

The Moa Hunters left us a few Bones. We dig them up, devoutly and laboriously. No “Labours of an Age in piled Stone”— Mere Middens mostly, mouldering ingloriously. Sod Huts, impermanent Timbers here and there, We rightly cherish, finding Nothing fitter: Relics like These deserve our pious Care. What are the Pyramids (after All!) but Litter?

Athens, Rome, Istanbul have Monuments In various Stages of august Decay. And yet our History s History—the immense Mystery of the youngest Yesterday! But let’s not dwell on That, Sir! Rather dwell Upon those proud Antiquities on Wheels Which ancient Engines sturdily propel, Stately as Roman Triremes on their Keels! The Lord of Beaulieu (may his Tribe increase). Scorns not those venerable Bombs or Heaps: The Glory that was Gasoline, not Greece, Shines in the antique Chariots Christchurch keeps!