TO NEVIS IN A BABY BRITISH CAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21578, 25 February 1932, Page 12

TO NEVIS IN A BABY BRITISH CAR

TO THE EDITOR. Sin,— ln Monday’s issue of the Otago Daily Times I noted that an Austin Seven has crossed through from Bannockburn by Nevis to Garston. T am not in any way connected with the motor business, but I would like to point out to those who are ignorant of the route that the trip in a tiny seven h.p. car is really worth noting. It proves again that these seemingly paltry little British products embody all that our bulldog and our lion signify. The dreary zig-zag up the Carrick Range is seven miles long, with not

a spot on which to let up to cool the engine. My profession took me to Nevis in 1926, and I can remember very vividly this unique trip. Mr Lawrence, of Bannockburn, ran his car to the foot of the range and then used horses in a four-; wheeler. It takes four to five hours to get up the seven-mile mountain climb, and then the passenger can reet on the summit and admire one of the most wonderful views in the world. The coachman drove up to a very large flat piece of rock, chained it on to the back axle, and in addition braked the wheels. Horses, four-wheeler, rock and all then slithered down six miles to the Nevis River. Close by one can see a house which has been built of these rocks brought down from time to time., The route through the Head od the Nevis is also a strenuous one. In places the river itself is the road. The descent into Garston is strenuous as well. On the whole the trip is a feat and a triumph for British workmanship. We can no longer say that Britain does not produce the car the Dominion needs. As far as I know, this pathway is the toughest proposition in New Zealand for motors. —I am, etc. Empire Mark.