THOUSANDS OF MILES ON WHEEL

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 87, 6 January 1940, Page 4

THOUSANDS OF MILES ON WHEEL

Australian Youth’s Tour Miles mean nothing to a 16-year-old Australian youth who cycled into New Plymouth recently, not even when they run into thousands.. In the last four months he pedalled nearly 3000 miles in Australia, and now he 'has commenced a comprehensive tour of New Zealand. Clad in khaki shirt and shorts, Graham Thompson, of Bendigo, appeared bronzed and fit when he talked with a reporter. Dm his cycle two large army packs carried all his requirements and a tent was strapped on the carrier. i A few months ago he decided on. a world tour. The type of bicycle he wanted was too expensive in Australia, so he had one purchased in Wellington and shipped over to him. Then in September he set out to see Australia. By Christmas he had covered well over two and a half thousand miles and visited more of his homeland than the average Australian ever hopes to see. The war had put the closure on his plan of a world tour, but he meant to see New Zealand nevertheless. He arrived at Wellington, and after a few days at the Exhibition went to Wanganui and then New Plymouth. He had had good weather throughout his trip, he said, and had. no trouble with his machine. He liked New Zealand very much. In Australia the distance between towns was too great, but in New Zealand the traveller came upon little places every few miles. Another thing he liked about New Zealand was the hospitality of the people. He was very fond of milk, and on his travels he frequently went into farms to buy milk. In New Zealand he had been allowed to pay for this milk at only one farm. In Australia it was different. The people were more conservative. They did not make friends so easily and they were not so hospitable. He anticipated spending about two months in New Zealand, during which time he will cover the whole of the North and South Islands.