THE “RED TERROR”

Southland Times, Issue 22293, 7 April 1934, Page 7

THE “RED TERROR”

PUNCTURED BY THE WAY TRAVELLING BRIGHT. (Inspired by Mr H. K. Sumpter’s “Travelling Light” and written by one of Jock Tamson’s Bairns). Records tell us that many of the world’s famous racehorses have been bred in New Zealand, notably Carbine, Desert Gold and the mighty Phar Lap. Of these, the last, Phar Lap, went to America to die. “Red Terror,” though not a bom New Zealander, is now a naturalized one, and in some long past day, presumably the plasticine period, came from America to live. “Red Terror,” however, is not a racehorse, but one of the earlier products of a well-known motor company. Chiefly noted for her great antiquity and uncertain habits, she languished for four long years in an old shed, her period of usefulness apparently at an end. This was not the case. The sum of £6 and an extraordinary amount of pushing and pulling brought “Red Terror” once more into the light of day, and by 12.30 a.m. on Good Friday she had carried four youths, several hundredweight of nourishment, tents, and sundries, and three spare tyres from Invercargill to Gore. It is noteworthy that this run was completed with absolutely no mishap, and the major portion of “Red Terror’s” eccentricities were discovered. One interesting little device known as the extra uncaused a certain amount of fun. When this was open halfway, she went well. Full open meant stop, and closed meant go on three cylinders. Cheap Lodging. In Gore, cheap lodging was obtained in a paddock, mother- earth and sundry roots for a bed and the sky for a roof. Shortly after daybreak four steaming plates of “snarlers and spuds” were consumed, together with the necessary frillings necessary for the completion of a meal. Then, with a tank full of petrol, a radiator full of water, four stomachs full to bursting, and four youths full of hope, “Red Terror” continued her journey. In Gore a spare tyre costing 5/- was used to replace

: the worst in use, so that she was as ’ well shod as the stock of tyres would permit. ■ During the forenoon the only stops : necessary were the customary ones ' every five miles or so to refill the radiator and replace the fan-belt on the pulleys. At Wairuna the first stop was made to visit friends, and at Clinton a second to obtain chewing gum to patch the radiator. When still ten miles from Balclutha, the first blowout occurred. Fully eighteen inches of tube had forced a way through the 5/- tyre, ' which was then filled with grass ana ' a new tube was obtained. When the tyre was removed, no grass was to be • seen, but a good pound of chaff fell out. (Readers are warned that this ! method of chaff-cutting has now been patented). : Shortly after leaving Balclutha a • clicking became evident in the front ■ left-hand wheel, and examination re- , vealed the loss of a ball-bearing and a ' piece of cone. After the wheel had been taken to pieces and put together exactly as it was found, however, the clicking ceased, so the journey was continued to Milton. Here “Red Terror” proudly entered the churchyard for the night. One meal a day was all that was eaten, commencing at approximately 8.30 a.m. and terminating any time between midnight and 2 a.m., but at regular intervals the billy ’ was boiled, and coffee and a little extra nourishment were consumed. Trials and Tribulations. On Saturday morning the journey was recommenced at an early hour, but when only a mile or two on the way, the front wheel again began to click, and the cause this time was found to be the loss of the cone and half the ball bearings. Turning back, “Red Terror” slowly covered the five miles to Milton, where a new ball race was obtained. This was a pity, as history has it that this wheel was one of the few original parts still in use. After leaving Milton, no further trouble was experienced until about noon, when the second front tyre blew out near Henley. Having repaired the tube and changed the tyre, the four youths boiled the billy and caught up lost time in the eating line. Then the fun began. The tyre, after about two chains had been covered, was flat again. This, after being repaired, was repeated, and it was not until seventeen more punctures had been repaired that “Red Terror” entered the Dunedin camping ground, on two flat tyres. This, by the way, occurred at 6.30 p.m. on Saturday. Then came a stroke of high finance, ■ inspired by the Scottish blood of the youths. Hot baths at the camping . ground and sixpence each. With a cry ■ of “bang goes saxpence” two six-footers

jumped into one bath and set to work to remove the oily evidence of their trip. The other pair followed suit. The conveniences afforded by the camping ground were greatly appreciated, particularly the gas and hot water, and the payment of four shillings entitled the party to the use of everything but the baths. The Return Journey. At 4.30 p.m. on Sunday the return journey was commenced, and all went well until the second gear refused to work on the hills around Caversham. Three pushing and one driving overcame this difficulty, so “Red Terror” was obliged to find another ailment. This she succeeded in when approaching Milton, by blowing out another tyre. This almost finished the trip. Two tyres only were any good, and of these one was cut at the beading in two places. The other we put on, and drove to Milton, where we discovered the tube looking out in two places. A few more miles were covered by cutting an old tyre and wiring it around the worn one, but this soon broke at the join and fell off. All that was now left was to put on the tyre which was through at the beading, and ride on faith. Faith has been known to accomplish wonders, but the fact that through faith alone that tyre came from Milton to Invercargill must rank as one of the greatest proofs of this. ; At Balclutha a second-hand spare ’ was bought for safety’s sake, but was unnecessary. At 1 a.m. on Monday a stop was made at Clinton, where the billy was again put to use and a panful of onions fried. Then on again! At , Waipahi, “Red Terror” decided on a . new trick, and the magneto ceased to L function. Running on the battery, the ; party reached McNab at 4.10 a.m., and a stop was made for sleep. This was accomplished by crawling into the . blankets by the roadside, and using . faith again. Shortly after daybreak “Red Terror” was once more on the road, and by , 10.30 a.m. the party was breakfasting on the road south of Mataura. This . meal, consisting of two packets of soup, ■ two loaves of bread, a quantity of to- ■. matoes, meat, coffee, four tins of fruit. : a tin of condensed milk, a pot of boiled ■ potatoes and onions, and two large . cakes, lasted from 10.30 a.m. until 2 p.m., and necessitated a long quiet rest at its conclusion. At about 3.15 p.m., “Red Terror” commenced the last lap. She had evidently decided to finish in style, for we found that the magneto had recommenced work, and at 4 p.m., “Red Ter- • ror” triumphantly entered Invercargill, running on four cylinders and with four fully inflated tyres. The great ■ feat had been accomplished! For a feat had been accomplished! For a total

outlay of less than £1 each, including repairs, tyres, tubes, petrol and board and lodging, “Red Terror” had carried the four youths from Invercargill to Dunedin and back in only four days and five nights.