TOURS THROUGH OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 1915, 3 August 1888, Page 26

TOURS THROUGH OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND.

Mr Stone, 1 .who kindly furnished the notes of his previous trip, has again been away, and has sent his notes of this trip to be added to those of the former one. As Mr Stone in the course of the year will penetrate most of the rideable, besides a great deal of unrideable, portions of the Otago roads, the notes of his various trips will prove very acceptable to cyclists who may have occasion to journey in the g&me direction. This

time the trip lasted a week, and' was, on the whole, over better country than the Southland trip, though the heavy weather of last week made the sand roads very bad. Equipped, as usual, on his sturdy 50-inch • * Club," with wellfilled M.I.P. bag on backbone and that " ponderous directory " as a baokwheel persuader, he met with a companion (Mr Crow) ; left town at about 1 o'clock on Saturday, July 21, for the South. At Waihola the afternoon Lawrence contingent overtook them enjoying a rest at Mr Bastings' comfortable hotel, and the six rode on to Milburn. Here Stone and Crow stopped for tea with a friend, and afterwards rode with him to Milton, spending the evening at the rink.

Next day the two riders went on to Stony creek, where they separated, Crow returning and Stone proceeding after dinner to Romahapa. The road from Balclutha to Romahapa is as heavy for a short .distance as the longest road Mr Stone says he has yet travelled. The railway from Balclutha is eight miles long ; the road is 13, and in that 13 miles of length comprises some very decent hills, one at Waitepeka railway station being about the steepest and roughest south of Dunedia. Previous travellers on this road lead me to coincide in this opinion.

On Monday Mr Stone began to 'work his way back towards Balclutha, which, after numerous stoppages for business, was reached at 2 o'clock, and Stony creek during the afternoon. After tea a glorious spin was enjoyed from Stony to Milton. The moon was full and brilliant, the white road was in perfect order, and the wind was from the South, and right behind. Tuesday was spent in working up the road to Lawrence, reaching there in time for tea.

Wednesday, Thursday, aud Friday were filled up by business' in and about Lawrence during the days, and by visits to the rink, the quadrille assembly, and to different friends in the evening, which made the time pass pleasantly. The Lawrence streets are a sight just now. The wet weather and heavy traffic have cut them up till no cycle, however made, could stand them, even if any rider could push his wheel over the seas of frozen mud. Fortunately the footpaths are beautiful and Lawrence constables are lenient, so cyclists can get about even in this weather.

Saturday turned out a very uusettled day, but an appointment in Dunedin had been made for the evening, and x-Jr Stone had to leave Lawrence about 9 a.m. In the first three miles riding the heavy drizzle which came on soaked the rider, but after reaching Waifcahuna the rain cleared off, and in spite of heavy ro&ds Manuka creek was reached in good time. Here the back tire came off, and a great deal of time was wasted in fixing it on any number of times. At last, near Milton bridge, the last break occurred, and this used the last piece of string and necessitated a walk as far as the White Horse. Here copper wire wns procured, and after some trouble the refractory tire was secured, and a start again made. Copper wire proved a delusion, and soon wore out, and between Milton and Waihola the travelling time was about an hour and a-quarter, while the stopping time was about another hour. At Waihola, after working a sum in subtraction with a neighbouring fence, the wheel was bound up till the mending with the thick wire rather overwhelmed the original wheel, and a fresh start was made. This time the repairs held, and town was finally reached at 7.15 o'clock.

The roads thi3 side of Saddle Hill were not good, but the metal south of the saddle was splendid. All gravel roads were very heavy, and are likely to remain co for some time. ■

I am requested by that authority oa names, the Directory man, to correct several errors in the report of the Lawrence run. Host Johnson, of the Commercial, appears as " Johnstone " ; our hard-riding man, Crow, has an " c " added to hisname ; and the skipper appears as Mr Bevin instead of Mr Burn. Having made these small corrections, and divided the responsibility between the P. D. and the writer, I now hope all parties are satisfied.