Days of future past
The first of the Sunday arrivals reached Hamilton the next day at 9.45am. It was followed – in ‘‘rapid succession’’ – by four others. The cars obtained fuel and got minor repairs seen to at ‘‘Mr Upton’s’’ – presumably an early garage – before proceeding on to Okoroire, the second planned stop. Altogether, eight cars made it to Hamilton on the Saturday and Sunday and the same number were anticipated on the Monday.
It can be assumed that mechanical problems and treacherous roads accounted for some rally drop-outs and slowed others to the point where the original schedule became irrelevant. The road between Mercer and Rangiriri was anticipated as being ‘‘impossible to cross’’ if it rained and the Times noted that ‘‘only one car successfully negotiated the Dreaded Razorback, near Rangiriri’’. This vehicle was an Oldsmobile driven by a Mr RB Spinks, the feat being deemed extra noteworthy because Spinks had a passenger aboard at the time.
While the rally was not intended as a race, its pace was leisurely, even by 1904 standards.
A fortnight later, Mr Spinks broke the record for the same route, driving from Auckland to Rotorua in 10 hours, 40 minutes. On Christmas Eve 1882 the Wallis family attended church in Raglan. The parents, William and Harriett, drove the buggy back to their Okete farm, but their children opted to sail the boat home up the harbour. There were nine aboard: eight Wallis siblings ranging in age from 22 to just 3 years, plus 16-year-old Minna (Minnie) Laver. However, what had been a gentle breeze on the outward trip had increased; the tide was going out and there was ‘‘a considerable sea’’. While the sail was being brought round to get a straight run home, a squall hit and the boat overturned. All were thrown into the water.
The accident happened just 100 metres or so offshore and was witnessed by a number of people. Several boats set out to help, but it was too late for Minnie and 11-year-old Edith, who were sucked away by the current. The other seven were rescued.
Two of the Wallis children wrote about their ordeal. Tom, the second oldest, described how he got hold of Minnie and was trying to get back to the boat, swimming against the tide, when Edith grabbed his foot and dragged him down. The three became separated and only