Bob's Journey

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22819, 28 August 1937, Page 8 (Supplement)

Bob's Journey

By GWEN KELLY, ilanarewa,

A LIGHT scent-laden breeze played among the jonquils and daisies which' studded the sloping lawn, and turned over several pages of the hook which Bob Lincoln had propped before him. With an impatient sigh the' boy rolled over on to his back and lay gazing at the blue sky overhead. The term examinations were perilously close hut the spring sunshine had killed all his desire for study. His eyes became fixed on a tiny speck on the horizon as he lay thus. It was the Union Airwaya monoplane on a special run. Ever since he could read. Bob had been fond of travel stories. He had explored all the surrounding country within walking distance but, in spite of his twelve years, he had done very little travelling by car or train. He dared hardly even dream of a journey by air. 'The aeroplane drew nearer. It appeared to be flying lower and the drone of the engines increased. Boh stared. The machine was circling. Surely it would not land here! With a the 'plane swooped lower and' made a neat landing in an adjoining paddock. The pilot alighted, made a hasty survey of his machine and then addressed the watching boy. "Like travelling, son? "Bather!" replied Bob. "Ever been in an aeroplane P" "Never." "Suppose you let your folks know while I do a slight repair and then we shall have a little run together. As todav is a holiday I am not on the regular route so we should be back in a few hours." Bob needed no second bidding. The pilot was replacing his tools when the boy returned, greatly excited, with his mother's consent. "Hop in, young fellow. I'll strap yoiz in and then you can enjoy yourself." Soon the powerful engines had .started. Bob waved a farewell to his mother as they rose from a neat takeoff. Gradually trees and houses were reduced to. the size of miniatures with a silver ribbon, represented the Waikato River, finding among them. They journevJl southward. Soon the beautiful snow-clad peak of Mount Kgmon t could be seen in the'distance. Lt made a wonderful picture and one

" Did you hear the tale of the Manx cat, Fido?" " A Manx cat hasn't got a tail, silly-!"

which would long be remembered by J3ob. Suddenly the 'plane lost height as they landed at the New Plymouth aerodrome. "You can stretch your legs if you like, son, I'll be back in a few minutes so don't go far," said the pilot. Bob was soon out in the sunshine but long before he had finished his tour of inspection the pilot returned. They made the homeward journey by a different route. Before them New; Zealand's playground, National Park, made a striking contrast to the dark hills and forest of the south. They fle\? higher. Ngauruhoo and Ruapeb%jaised snow-clad peaks to the blue sky and the grandeur of the thrilled the boy. Later the shining waters of Lake Taupo came into view as they turned northward to follow the Waikato to itsmouth and thence to Bob's home. Once more the machine circled and came to rest on the level grassland. Hastil3' Bob undid his straps and waß