BEHIND A BARROW

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20012, 1 December 1927, Page 6

BEHIND A BARROW

AN UNUSUAL TOUR TREK BY SOUTH AFRICAN AND HIS WIFE Mr end Mrs Daniel J. le Roux, of South Africa, are walking round the world, but’ in this respect they are to be distinguished from others engaged on a similar task because they are pushing a wheelbarrow before them. To-day, Mr and Mrs le Roux will arrive in this city. For some weeks past they have been travelling down the North Island highways from Auckland, and more recently have been located in Taranaki. This week they have been staying in Waitotara and now they are to enter New Zealand’s river city. Five Years of Travel. It was on December 31, 1922, that the travellers, clad in serviceable khaki costumes and accompanied by two dogs, trundled their way out into the world from the Town Hall, Johannesburg. Since then, the rubber tyre of their wheelbarrow has left its maxk on the roads —and places which have not been roads—of South Africa, Portuguese East Africa, Egypt, Italy, Switzer and, France, Belgium, Holland,. England, Canada, and now from Auckland to Wanganui. ' . Starting out with three pennies each they had not much to lose, and by means of lectures and the sale of souvenir cards they have financed themselves and paid steamer fares. Their finances have been further augmented by letting the sides of their barrow for advertising. Not a Wager The trip is not the outcome of a wager, but the couple hope to publish a book on the completion of their tour. To date they have traversed 12,25miles on foot. ‘ They Save slept on the veldt and in the stegi bush of East Africa, seen the pyramids and sphinxes, Vesuvius, St. Peter’s, the Coliseum and the Forum, Milan Cathedral, crossed the St. Gothard Pass, travelled along the Axenstrasse, passed over the field of Waterloo, visited Wembley and the Niagara Falls and have crossed the Rocky Mountains. During their sojourn in this city Mr and Mrs le Roux hope to give lectures on their experiences.