FAMILY’S LONG WALK

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 146, 5 June 1936, Page 13

FAMILY’S LONG WALK

Wellington to Auckland to Join Father MOTHER & FOUR CHILDREN A mother and four young children with clothing rather the worse for wear and each carrying light packs of clothing and rough grey blankets, tramped wearily into Hawera on a recent morning. They had cqme from Wellington, their goal was Auckland and tho journey was one of necessity. Alter five years on relief at Wellington the father of the family recently secured permanent work at Auckland. There was no money to pay train lares, so they decided to walk.

'there was no despair on the laces ol tho mother and her four children, whoso ages ranged from six to 12; rather was the long trek, an experience that most would regard as an indictment of modern civilisation, the rosy dawning of a new era for their household. From the story they told it could bo imagined that their present experience was not the worst of the past tiro distressing years, which had built up a foitrtuue capable ui taking such a journey as a matter of course. The decision to make the journey on foot had been simple to reach, said the mother. They had no money to pay lares to Auckland when the job was secured and the process ot saving enough out of his earnings would have been a lung one for the father. In the meantime there was the fact to be considered that two homes cost more than one, so the courageous but logical viewpoint was reached that by walking they could save the money for the new home and wipe off the need to maintain two dwellings for a period ot perhaps some weeks. The experience had not been such a terrifying one alter all. The packs contained only essential changes of clothing and other necessities; sleeping difficulties were solved and the rigours of camping out were avoided by the patronising of low-priced accommodation, and there were many who offered rides that were gladly accepted. The rate of progress was good, the party having travelled from i’atea to Hawera during the morning. All five seemed to be regarding the trip as an adventure. The smallest boy had no pack, and to avoid the possibility of accidents on the road was anchored to his mother by a harness arrangement and a leather lead, lhe others walked erect under their light burdens and seemed not to have a care. All that mattered was that after live years of depression the future was a bright one, and for them the road to Auckland was paved with happy optimism.