74-Year-Old Tours N.Z. On 37-Year-Old Bike

Northern Advocate, 24 January 1947, Page 4

74-Year-Old Tours N.Z. On 37-Year-Old Bike

IT is an ancient mariner who has long - since left the sea, with his old red bike and silvery hair, that you are bound to see—in Whangarei today.

Born on the Thames goldfields on August 3, 1872, 74-year-old Mr Theo. P. Browne spent 30 years in the merchant service in 32 different ships and visited most of the world’s important ports. He was last in Whangarei % sß years ago on his way to board a Swedish ship at Whangaroa, which took 1,000,000 feet of kauri timber to Glasgow.

Sixty years ago Mr Browne left Hokianga Harbour with a six-foot-square log for the Melbourne Exhibition in 1888.

SECOND-HAND THEN Having visited most countries in the world. Mr Browr.e decided to retire from a life on. the ocean wave and travel New Zealand on his bicycle, which he bought second-hand 37 years ago

Cnee again the ancient cycle with its old rider left Wanganui to begin a tour of the North Island.

Passing through Taranaki. Mr Browne reached Kawhia and Raglan, and then proceeded up the west coast until he could go no further, having reached Spirits' Bay.

Setting out from his home in Wanganui last year, lie rode to Wellington, crossed Cook Strait to Nelson, and toured the West Coast, visiting Charleston, Westport. Greymouth. Hokitika, and the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers.

Returning via the Ninety Mile Beach. Mr Browne reached Kaitaia after having taken only two clays to complete Die journey from Kaitaia to the extreme north, and back.

Having been warned that the Haast Fass was almost impassable because of wet weather, which caused slips and floods, he crossed Die Otira Gorge which was also in a bad way, Mr Browne having to negotiate three slips, each slip taking three hours to cross

From there the traveller journeyed south and reached Whangarei today, after covering a distance of 960 miles.

BIKE'S 60.000 MILES Mr Browne travels in shorts and shirt on a red BSA bicycle which has up to the present covered 60.000 miles. Except for an interval of three years when Mr Browne served in the Great War. the machine has been in con-

Cnee over the obstacles, Mr Browne visited Lake Coleridge, and then crossed the Rnkaia Gorge on his way to Ashburton Some time later he found himself at the Bluff, but as he could go further south he crossed to Stewart Island and witnessed the oyster derby from the island to Invercargill Not used to letting grass glow under his tyres, lie pushed on to Colae Bay, Lakes Manapouri. T<* A nan and Wakatipn.

stant use and looks as if it is good for many, more years of service.

On the handlebars are hung two billies, one for butter, jam and (at. and the other for tea.

The rear carrier, which has been specially made, supports a large white canvas bag, which hangs down on each side of the wheel.

The front carrier supports a wooden box and Die top bar of the Irame the lent -poles. The baggage, which includes a lent, chip cooker, bedding and a diary, which Mr Browne has been keeping for years, weighs about one hundredweight and makes the, cycle heavy, and to one unused to such a load, not very easy to ride.

Alone, alone, all' all alone. Mr Browne rode on through Centre! Otago. Gabriel's Gully, and arrived at Milton.

NORTH ISLAND TOUR Homeward bound he passed through Dunedin, Christchurch, crossed die Lewis Pass' to Recfton. rode on to Blenheim, crossed to Wellington, and arrived back in Wanganui after covering a distance of 2(122 miles.

Mr Browne, however, 'is quite comfortable, and seems part of his mount. Mr Browne will soon be leaving for Auckland and will ride home via Taranaki. He hopes to be back in Wanganui early in February.

Mr Browne had learned to wander, and before long he was again on the road, pursuing the noiseless tenor of his -why.