GOLD EXPEDITION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17951, 1 December 1932, Page 12

GOLD EXPEDITION

GRUELLING DRIVE ACROSS DESEET IN TRUCK LAVERTON, Nov. 11. With one wheel of its truck almost 1 splintered, the West gold expedition reached Laverton after a gruelling drive over more than 160 miles of desert, through terriliic heat and sandstorms. Tho truck had to plough its way through sand and spinifex, and twist through mulga. With tho intention of making an intermediate base near Lake Throssell. about 160 miles east of Laverton, and a permanent once and an aerodrome v the Warburton Range, the expedition comprising A'essrs. Stewart, mining engineer, Keith Farmer, pilot, Errol Coote, relief pilot and truck driver, and Charles Cable, a young western bushman, loft Laverton on a heavily laden truck, last Friday afternoon. The party reached Whitocliffs station late that afternoon, and went on to their camping place, moro than. 40 miles from Laverton, where the night was spent. Forging ahead, the party ran into dry, sun-baked country, with lizards the only apparent living things. The heat was rapidly becoming more intense, and the temptation to drink too much water was almost irresistible. Gamp was made that night at Minnie Creek. Finally, late in tho evening, nearing Lake Throssell, the party ran into a clear stretch of country. Camp was made that night in the mulga nearby, and, before sunrise the next morning, Farmer and Cooto made a thorough inspection of the ground. Free of obstructions, with good approaches and with a hard, sandy surface, it was ideal for tho purpose of an aerodrome. Meanwhile Stewart and Cable had discovered that tho rear right-hand wheel of the truck had sprung, owing to the heavy load, and the rough going. It was decided to return to Laverton, after making a cache of the food, water, and petrol in tho mulga, near the landing ground. STEWART SUNSTEUCK.

Tho party decided to travel non-stop hack to Laverton and to have spare parts sent by tlio train from Ivalgoorlie. As the sun rose, the heat became almost unbearable. Farmer was sent* ed alongside Cooto, who was at the wheel while Stewart and Cable sat on the back of the truck. The cabin of the truck was like a blast furnace, and tho heat of tho engine made it almost impossible for Cooto to keep his foot on the accelerator. Outside, the air shimmered with tho heat, dancing behind, Farmer noticed that Stewart was swaying crazily, and looked ghastly. Cooto pulled up, and Stewart, who had been sunstruck, was put into the truck cabin.

To add to tho discomfort of the party, a sandstorm sprang up. The wind blew with such force that it was difficult to keep tho truck on its track. Siting, stinging, rod sand lashed the men, who choked and gasped for breath. Their lips woro black and cracked, and their eves were so bloodshot that they looked like raw sockets in tho face. WHEEL ALMOST OFF. Beaching Rudder’s Well, it was found that a wheel was almost off the hub. Several of tho spokes had broken off at the ferrules. Somo old tins were jammed between the rim and the spokes, and tho spokes were meshed with wire. As the going was now good, speed was increased, thus helping to keep the wheel in position. Stewart was in a bad way. Ho was

now Tiding on a crude bed on tho back of the truck. Whitecliffs Btation was reached at 12.30 a.m. The wheel was still hanging on, although two of the wire lashings had burst. It was decided to push on to Laverton without disturbing tho people at Whitecliffs. But the heat and the sandstorm had imposed too much strain on the men, and everybody was glad when the truck pulled into tho mulga, 26 miles east of Laverton. After a sleep of three hours, the party forged on. Shortly before 9 a.m. tho adventurers slowly pulled into Laverton, dirty, tired, and unshaven, all showing signs of tho ordeal they had beett through. A rush was made for hue hotel breakfast table, as no had been oaten for 24 hours,