Working Holiday On Cycle

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30428, 30 April 1964, Page 3

Working Holiday On Cycle

(From Our Own Reporter > NEW PLYMOUTH, April 29. George Murray, a 21-year-old Christchurch bricklayer, cycled through South Taranaki today on the last leg of a working holiday that will have taken him around New Zealand. Mr Murray’s parents live at Hornby. Late tonight he arrived at New Plymouth after battling head winds on the long ride from Wanganui. In less than 18 months he has cycled round the east coast of the North Island, has made two complete tours of the South Island, and in be-

tween has worked at his . trade in towns where work • has been offering. “1 hope to get enough • money saved to take me to ’ Australia next year,” he said. I Mr Murray left Ashburton 1 in January to visit the North Island and complete his New : Zealand tour. “Last year, I travelled right ; up the west coast of the ; island and returned along - the Desert road. Once I get to Hamilton I will have completed my journey.” he said i “Since January, I have ! covered more than 5200 [miles.” ■ I Unlike other working

holiday-makers, he has few illusions about an easy time.! Packed on a specially-built light-weight trailer behind - the cycle were his tools of ; trade.

A pup tent was a useful item to carry, he said, but mostly accommodation could be found at youth hostels. Taranaki’s welcome to the working visitor, however, could not have been worse A biting northerly hampered his progress right until he reached New Plymouth and “my average speed dropped right down to eight miles an hour trying to battle that and the hills.”