GREAT MOTOR DASH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20112, 24 November 1928, Page 15

GREAT MOTOR DASH.

CAIRO TO CAPETOWN.

VERY HAZARDOUS ENTERPRISE.

A 6000-MILE RUN IN 40 DAYS.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] CAPETOWN. Oct. 12. The epic speed dash of Gerry Bouwer, the intrepid South African motorist, from Cairo to Capetown by car has been compared, in the risks taken, the enrhiranco of the human element and the skill and determination of Mr. Bouwer himself, with the famous exploit of Colonel Lindbergh. When Mr. Bouwer set himself to perform this 6000-mile run in 40 days few thought he could succeed and many feared that ho had underestimated the hazards of the enterprise The dangers from fever, bush fires, hostile tribes and wild animals had all to be faced and, in addition, there was the peril of tearing at a high spe.ed through what was often virgin bush and swamp and across badlybuilt, improvised bridges and treacherous drifts.

Tho outward journey to tho Cape was made at a comparatively leisurely pace and was deliberately planned to challenge the difficulties of driving through Central Africa in the rainy season and to plan out tho courso of tho great African highway of tho future. England was reached without mishap, tho hundreds of miles of rain-sodden conntry being negotiated with steady perseverance. Occasionally, and particularly between Mongalla and Khartum, tho expedition found it necessary to abandon the road for the river, but this was only done when it was found to be utterly impossible for any road vehicle to make progress without continuous assistance in the shape of gangs of native labour.

Wile Joins Her Husband. From tlie first Mr. Douwer decided to make the return journey a speed dash and after the announcement of his departure from London his progress was followed with considerable interest by the whole of the African continent. A touch of romance was imparted to the effort by the cryptic statement that Mr. Bouwer had discovered a stowaway " on board " shortly after leaving Cairo. The stowavvav turned out to bo his wife, to whom lie had said good-bye in Paris, but who had llown to Cairo in order te accompany her husband on this dangerous dash down the African continent.

Bush fires and lions were encountered near the equator; and, driving sometimes 16 hours a day, Mr. and Mrs. Bouwer arrived at Johannesburg. Mr. Bouwer was then in an exhausted condition He had then 39 hours left to reach Capetown, 1000 miles away, and he pluckily attempted to go right on without taking any rest. At Potchefstroom, however, he collapsed at tho wheel and some hours elapsed before he was strong enough to continuo the journey. Once on the road again Mr. Bouwer made a big-hearted final effort, and tearing through the Free State and the Capo Province at a speed which sometimes reached 75 miles an hour he eventually reached Capetown only an hour and a-half behind his scheduled time. A crowd of many thousands were there to greet him and a civic reception, at which the Administrator, Mr. Fourie spoke, had been arranged in bis honour.

Descendants of Old Voortrekkers. "f speak on behalf of the whole Cape Province in extending the most cordial welcome to Mr. and Mrs. Bouwer on tho safe return to their home," said Mr. Fourie. "They have completed a feat which most of us considered impossible. Determination and dogged will power made them finish what they had set out to rlo. Ido not know what better assistance C.crry Bouwer could have had than tho help of his little wife. Certainly he would never have arrived so near to timo without her. She, like Gerry, is a descendant of the old voortrekkers, who dared to do anything and always accomplished what they set out to do. I am triad to see the spirit of the voortrekkers alive in the present generation. We have had many famous rides, but this will go down to history as one of the most famous in Africa."

Mr. Bouwer. who looked completely worn out, said that ho would never do tho trip again, and would never have succeeded this time without the encouragement and help of his wife. "In two or threw years' time."' ho said, "you will bo able Id gn through Central Africa —a wonderful country. The great North Road will be, open and you will be able to visit the ftreat. Lakes and the Mountains of tho Moon bv ear without any, discomfort."