SHADES OF 1902!

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 130, 3 June 1937, Page 10

SHADES OF 1902!

MOTOR-CARS PARADE

PEUGEOT FAILS TO STAY

VARIETY ON WHEELS

From the point of view of variety there was little left out in the procession Of motor vehicles, ancient and modern, through the main streets of Wellington today. The parade was or ganised^as one of the final functions in connection with the Mayor's appeal for the King George V Memorial Fund, and the hundreds of people who lined the streets to watch it go by found in this pageant of contrasts plenty that was amusing and plenty to be admired.

Relics of the days of Dundreary whiskers and tight pantaloons rubbed shoulders, so to speak, with antiques of the spacious Edwardian days, with their straw hats, celluloid collars, and the coquettish waltz-me-around-again-Willie spirit; and all these proudly led the sleek products of the modern motor-car factory, which purred along in the wake of their chattering predecessors of various vintages.

It was a pity the old Peugeot broke down so early in the procession. It was a bad let-down for 1902;. For some little time before the procession was due to move off its little "one-lunger" engine could be heard stuttering .in the background, and the old bus itself was literally boiling over with enthusiasm —so much so that the engineer—sorry, chauffeur—had to get out and stop the engine. He pushed something, pulled something else, gave another handle a I twist, and Peugeot coughed to a standI still; He lifted up the bonnet, found ;.-that the piece of string around the radiator or something still held, and climbed back behind the perpendicular steering wheel. Everything seemed to be in order. Old Peugeot took its place, the chauffeur lifted up the (accelerator—yes, lifted is, the. right word-^and the machine moved off under: its own power. It was going along bravely, flat out at three miles an hour,, when suddenly it stalled on the tram-line, and resisted all efforts at artificial respiration. It stopped here, humbled in the dust, as.it were. • ■ It couldn't make the grade; And then came the crowning indignity of all. A penny-farthing bike, with D. Evans up, dashed past it as> it lay there! And 1937 saw 1902 ' mocked by 1870—and laughed! ' • ' However, someone came along with a rope, and old Peugeot ambled along quietly at the rear of something a little more up-to-date. ; ANOTHER OLD-TIMER. ' This was nqt the only reminder of sterner days. ■ Exhibit B was something that people came miles to see and gape at away back in 1905. That was the' year, wasn't it,, when the traffic authorities were/considering the advisability *of dispensing with the man with the red flag who used to walk in front of self-propelled vehicles? ■ This old-timer, with its, carriage wheels, its polished "gig-lamps", its draughty-looking Ijood, was probably considered the snappiest' thing on wheels in its day, and it probably put up some good road performances, particularly when it had the wind behind it. One can imagine father proudly taking'his family for an extended run in it oft Sunday—three . times round the block, and back in time for tea. Then there was a 1903 model Oldsmobile, another marvel of its age, and there followed 'in • more or less chronological, order various other old models, most of them proceeding under their own power. The display of modern cars was outstanding; arid a wide range of makes was on show, all of them remarkable testimony to the skill of the modern motor-car engineer and . designer. By way of further contrast there were an Irish' jaunting car, drawn by a gaily-caparisoned donkey, and a landau inscribed as the Ministerial coach of 1906.\ It was drawn by a hslf-draught that could have just about pulled the <jhafts out of it without trying very hard. ' Immediately following it was one of the latest Ministerial ■ cars—the last word in style and comfort.

Another feature of the procession was the contribution by the "Defence Department of an anti-aircraft unit. It was led by a huge motor transport with six wheels, which drew a threeinch anti-aircraft gun ' mounted on a truck, and an aircraft searchlight outfit.

The police pipe band and.the Port Nicholson Silver BanpV accompanied the procession and played selections, and University students helped- to •supply some of the lighter moments. The Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) was represented, towing bank clerks behind a tractor and followed by two others shoving a hand-cart. They also provided, an elderly car that shied every few yards, to the vast amusement of the crowd. Some of the energetic members of the New Zealand Bashist Party were entertaining', and a caricature of the Five Millions Club caused some fun.

The Wairarapa Football Association j has invited a first B /division team and a boys' team from Wellington to play at Masterton on the King's Birthday I next Wednesday. The management committee of the Wellington Football Association has agreed jhat any club which wishes to accept.""fhe invitation may do so, on application to the secretary, Mr. W. J. Arcus. >"