Historic journey returns to North Shore City

January 19, 2007

Today’s North Shore commuters may consider theirs an epic journey, but 90 years ago motorists had more to worry about than being stuck in traffic.

In 1917, 34 cars carrying 120 parliamentarians and community leaders left Devonport to survey the prospects of the “winterless north”. So dreadful were the roads and weather conditions that only 10 cars completed the trip, while others had to be shipped back to Auckland.

This month a group of veteran car enthusiasts will be officially farewelled by North Shore City Mayor George Wood as they embark on a re-enactment of the 1917 Parliamentary Tour.

The aim of the original tour, which travelled to Kaitaia, was to investigate the resources and potential of the far north. Members of parliament on the tour were told “The north has a lot of unoccupied lands, all of which will suit someone – the fruit man or the sheep man – yet is not serving a useful purpose unoccupied”.

“Things have certainly changed in 90 years. This event will be a wonderful way to pay tribute to the history of the North Shore, as well as enjoying these beautiful vehicles,” Mr Wood says.

“I’m looking forward to awarding the Mayor’s Choice Trophy, and hitching a ride to Warkworth for the first leg of the tour.”

Mayoress Myra Wood and her husband will take the trip in period costume, as will many other drivers and passengers.

The fleet of meticulously restored veteran cars on the tour will include a 1901 White Stanhope, a 1912 Sunbeam, a 1911 Rolls Royce Ghost and a 1914 Model T Ford Runabout. The event has been organised by the Horseless Carriage Club of NZ.

The public can farewell the cars when the tour departs from Flagstaff Tce, Devonport, at 9am on January 26. From there, the cars will travel up Victoria Rd and Lake Rd to Takapuna, along Anzac St and Wairau/Taharoto roads, then along Albany Highway to Albany.

People will have another opportunity to see the cars at a car show at the North Shore Events Centre on February 3, to include another 35 vintage cars from the North Shore Vintage Car Club.

ENDS

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