FRUITLESS TRIP

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 14, 17 January 1930, Page 8

FRUITLESS TRIP

WIND FRUSTRATES RECORDBREAKER (By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.") AUCKLAND, This Day. The high wind which for the past few days has prevented Norman Smith, the famous Australian motorist, from making an attempt on the ninety-milo beach, sprang up once more yesterday, making an effort again impossible. The beach was in food order, and the wind was only light early in the morning, when the tide was in. By the time tho waves had receded, however, the breeze had freshened to such an extent that it was quite out of the question to make a run. When the official timekeepers supplid by the Auckland Automobile Association left Kaitaia on Wednesday, it was thought that the gale then blowing would continue for two or three days, and Smith coisidered that the record could not bo tttempted before Saturday, but shortly after midnight tho wind dropped md all indications were for a suitable day. Smith then communicated witl the Automobile Association's headquarters in Auckland. It was known thit the party of timekeepers had gone only as far as Ohaeawai, about 70 miles away, and a decicision was reached to interview them and to ask a number to return. About 12.30 a.m. a party comprising Smith, H. Nattrass; wlo drove, and two Press representatives, set out for Ohaeawai by motor-car. The party reached the hotel where the officials were staying shortly after 3.30 a.m. The timekeepers were aroused, and all but one returned. The journey, however, proved in vain '