DARING JOURNEY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 109, 7 April 1934, Page 12

DARING JOURNEY.

THREE MEN ON RAFT. DOWN a RUSHING RIVER. To navigate the swiftly-flowing irresistible waters of the Waiau Biver through practically its entire lei.gtn from Lake Te Anau on a i aft is a task three Invercargill men set themselves for the Easter holidays, says the Southland Times. They are Messrs H. H. Twemlow, G. Twemlow. and D. Peterson, and they have left tor Te Anau with their raft, constructed as honestly, as human ingenuity and labour can make possible. Once or twice before the feat has been accomplished, and on several occasions attempts have ended in. a manner not desired, but it is their intention to leave nothing to chance. Much care and knowledge gained from experience and close acquaintanceship with the mighty river have been brought to bear in the building of the raft, and every precaution will be taken before it is entrusted to the turbulent waters in some of the cavernous gorges of the mountain country lying north and south of Lake Manapouri. A start was to have been made on Saturday morning. Exciting incidents on some of the twisting stretches between Te Anau and Manapouri were anticipated, but a pleasant passage through Manapouri was predicted, and then the longest portion of the journey would be commenced. The party will disembark on arriving at Clifden, and tlie waiting lorry will bring back the raft to Invercargill. By taking five days over the trip, the men will turn it into a more pleasant outing, although there will be much arduous work. Each night they will camp on the river bank, and they may possibly do a little shooting. They have been invited to stop at the Southland Electric Power Board’s Lake Monowai lieadworks. In appearance the raft resembles stout planking placed on two canoes. It consists of two cylinders formed of oil drums, and with the bows fashioned like those of a ship. These are secured firmly to the raft, which will float on them. The raft is built of silver beech planks, which are held together by numerous strong bolts. Iron bands are passed under the cylinders for greater sturdiness, and the whole craft gives an impression of ruggedness. Another safety measure is the provision of railings along the sides to cling to in the rougher passages. Propulsion will be supplied by a sail and oars. At first it was intended to carry an engine, but this idea was rejected to save weight, and it was also considered that the number of revolutions required to prevent the engine from stalling would cause the raft to travel too quickly in dangerous spots, the force of the current providing sufficient way. The study of the Waiau River and the many peculiarities attached to it has long" held n fascination for Mr Twemlow, and he considers that the trip will provide him with unrivalled opportunities. If he succeeds without mishap it is his intention to repeat it until he has satisfied himself that certain theories he has Weld for many years may be converted into theorems.