DROVING FEAT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23488, 27 October 1939, Page 8

DROVING FEAT

TREK OF 200 MILES■

BROTHER AND SISTER

160 CATTLE SAFELY DELIVERED

NOT AN ANIMAL"' MISSING

[BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] DUNEDIX, Thursday A three weeks' trek of just over 200 miles, during which they drove a herd ' of 160 head of cattle without losing or injuring one. was completed to-d av « by two Central Otago youngsters brother and sister. They were Edna and Dave Aubrey, aged 21 and 18 respeotively, children of Mr, D. C. Aubrey of Cattle Flat Station, in the kanaka district, and they covered -the last stage to paddock their cattle a t Moraona to-day after leaving-liome on October G.

A Leisurely Journey

The Aubreys were inclined to regard the whole tl'i:;ig in a very matter of fact way, but there is no doubt that such a feat by persons so youiig j s something well out of the ordinary. The cattle, which are mostly Hereford and Black Polls, ami are all three-year-olds, will be on grass at Momona for a few days until they are taken to JTCurnside for the weekly market next Wednesday.

An- average of 10 miles a day was covered by the Aubreys since thev left Cattle Flat Station. Their trip through Central Otago was a leisurely one, with the result that the cattle are in good condition and are showing ncill effects after their long journey. Good weather was experienced for practically the whole of the time, and, apart from the ordinary hazards of long-distance droving, it was practically without incident.

Unfamiliar Noises The only trouble the' yonng drore ra had was when at' Ida Valley and Wedderburn the herd was disturbed by the unfamiliar noises of night trains and broke fences. They did not stray far, however, and on each occasion little difficulty was experienced in rounding them up again.

The longest distance covered in one day was 17 miles and t'„e shortest distance six miles. Miss Aubrey and her brother spoke very highly of the kindness they had received from ererrone they had met on the journey, aa'd said they found it necessary to camp by tie roadside on only one uichC