PER WHEELBARROW

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 200, 27 August 1935, Page 6

PER WHEELBARROW

AUCKLAND TO WELLINGTON SNAILAPLANE AT WANGANUI BOTH TRAVELLERS IN GOOD HEALTH -\Ltcr cu\ering 360 miles and travelling through every change of weather in the course ui their long journey from Auckland to Wellington, Mr. J. G. ScDolield, sitting' in the cucßpil uf the * 1 Snailaplane, ’ and Air. L. K. Lukey, pushing vigorously, arrived at Wanganui shortly alter 3.30 p.m. yesterday, ’.the wheelbarrow travci/ers left Auckland un August 5 and expect to- complete their Journey on Eeptember 1. Bulk men are in good health, though strangely 'enough, Air. Bcliolicld, who sits in the barrow, has losi weight, while his companion, who docs all the hard work, weighs the same as he did when their novel journey was commenced. Since leaving Auckland the .travellers have encountered rain, nail, frost and snow. They have also had a small percentage of sunshine, though lor the most part the weather has ueen wet and coid. The worst trip of all was the 50-milc stretch between Te Kuiti and Awakino. I'he roads were ruugn and frequent snow storms made travelling anything but pl'easant. lu spile of till.-, however, the wheelbarrow and its human freight made steady progress and au average of over 16 miles was covered each day. Air. Lukey explained to a “Chronicle” reporter last night that this average was necessary. Tney are nut out to break any records, but are endeavouring to complete the trip in a stimulated, time. The barrow itself is a de luxe model with a pneumatic tyre, lights, brake and footrests. There is even a thermometer attached. The machine is very delicately balanced, the sitter being directly above the wheel, wniie any unevenness in weight is met by the harness with, which Mr. Lukey is fitted. No money wager is attached to the effort, the jeumey being regarded as a holiday. Tuio only penalty for non-ful-filment is an agreement if cither party fails in his part of the bargain, other than through illness, he will defray the initial expanses of the other. Air. bchoheld is to sit in the barrow as ioug as Mr. Lukey is willing to push him, but as suon as a stop is made Air. Schofield is entitled to leave his seat for exercise. The decision to undertake the trip resulted from a discussion between the two men on tho tiUO miles’ wheelbarrow event in Australia, lu that cuntest, said Air. Lukey, ten weeks had been allowed, for the trip. He considered that the time allowance was rather excessive. Mr. Wcholicld suggested that he could not do the Journey any quicker, and that led up to the decision to have a try out from Auckland to 'Wellington. , While Air. Lukey w ill have the wjiip hand when Mr. Echoliel l is in the barrow, there is this to be said, that Air. bcholicld will be able to make his presence fell. His weight is 13st. 101'0 and Air. Lukey’s is 12st 61b. “I’ll have to put him on rations and starve him on the way down” said Air. Lukey, referring to his friend’s weight at the commencement of the Journey. Both Air. Lukey and Air. Echofield acknowledge the asistance that “Dunlop’, products are able to extend to lighten their task, and provide some eumpeusating comfort during thcii arduous Journey. When they arrived at Wanganui yesterday afternoon, the travellers were met by Air. D. E. Dustin, president of the Wanganui and District Development League. Both Alessrs. Lukey and >Scholield are helping to raise funds for the Youths' Afforestation Camp during their short stay in the city. Considerable interest was taken yesterday in their progress down Victoria Avenue. In reply to questions Air. Lukey stated that they were enjoying the trip and with the exception of Air. bchulield's suffering from chilblains, both were ia excellent health. Air. Lukey was quite confident that he would push fiis companion to Wellington in the stipulated, time, thus accomplishing the journey in 31 days. bcberal detours are being made from time to time. This is in order to bring the total number of miles travelled to over the 500 mark, so that it will compare more favourably with the Journey of a similar nature now being undertaken from Alelbourne to Sydney. The longest distance undertaken in one day was successfully completed on Sunday, when, the travellers covered the 26 miles from Patea to Alaxwell. Darkness overtook them about a mile from their destination and for the first time since leaving Auckland it was found necessary to~switch on the small electric lamp with which the barrow is lilted. Mr. Lukey and his companion will leave Wanganui from opposite tire Rutland Hotel at nine o’clock ihw morning. They will proceed to Bulls, where they hope to arlivu tiii-. evening. Mr. Lukey stated last night that the trip from Wanganui to Bulls would be the longest distance yet attempted in one day. 'Tc-morrow morning they intend leaving Bulls for I’alnierstou North, from which city (■hey will commence the final stages of (he journey to Wellington.