ENCIRCLING AUSTRALIA BY SIX-WHEELERS.
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Details of the Progress of the Expedition which is Covering
10,000 Miles With Karrier Machines.
SOME interesting particulars concerning the Maertobertson Expedition which is now encircling the continent of Australia with the aid of two Karrier W06-type six-wheelers have just become available. The expedition is being undertaken by a party of 12 members under the command of Mr. W. Dunkerley, vvho had charge of a previous enterprise across Australia in 1925%
The party left Melbourne on April 12th last on a 10,000-mile trek around Australia, adhering to some extent to the general configuration of the coast line and taking in Adelaide, Coolgardie, Perth, Darwin, Newcastle Waters, Townsville, Rockhampton, Brisbane and Sydney. It is expected that the journey will he completed some time during next month.
The two Karrier vehicles have been appropriately named " Burke " awl "Wills," after the famous explorers who set out on that tragic crossing or the continent of Australia in 1861.
The greater part of the route which is being followed passes through undeveloped country, embracing littleknown areas where, at the present t!me, transport is chiefly carried out by camel and donkey teams. Sugar and banana plantations, way-back cattle stations, aborigine corroboreee, bush settlements and timber regions in remote parts seldom heard of, and of which little is known, will all be encountered by the expedition, the main purpose of which is to test the practicability of modern methods of transport in undeveloped areas and to promote the use of road motors for the rapid development of territory which, it is generally conceded, only needs the necessary means of communication to encourage settlement.
Since the . previous expedition of Mr. 'Dunkerley, to which we have referred, a large number of horsed teams in up-country districts has been replaced by motor vehicles, and the leader of the present enterprise is hopeful that a further development on these lines will follow the completion of the present comprehensive and exacting journey. Much of the route has not previously been traversed by motor lorry, but the only section which Mr. Dunkerley regards with some apprehension is that through the Northern Territory where, it is thought, the tracks may be found too narrow to accommodate the two Karrier sixwheelers.
After the completion of the first stage of the journey from Melbourne Adelaide, Mr. Dunkerley expressed hie appreciation of the adaptability and smooth-riding qualities of the machines. He believes that the commercial rigid six-wheeler has a most promising future so far as Australia is concerned. By the time Perth was reached the expedition had covered .2,350 miles in 23 days, an average of over 100 mlizs per day, which must be regarded as . extremely good going When it is considered that each of the lorries weighs considerably over 7 tons.
By. the time the journey is finished it is expected that upwards of 3,000 gallons of petrol will have been used. A complete network of fuel-refilling points has been especially chartered for the expedition by the Shell Cc., of Australia, a representative of which company forms one of the party. Lorry spares, hauling winches, suction pumps, tents, stretcher-beds, mosquito nets, tinned foods and much other equipment required for an expeditionary trip of this magnitude are all carried in a remarkably compact manner, and wireless apparatus is included. The work of the expedition is now about half-way completed.
As we have previously mentioned, the type of Karrier six-wheeler which is being used is the WOO model, which incorporates in its design a 30-48 h.p. four-eylindered engine. A special feature of the vehicles undertaking this hazardous run is the provision of gearing giving eight speeds. The lorries are mounted on Dunlop pneumatic tyres of 36-in. by 6-in. dimensions. Each of the bodies has been specially built. One incorporates a fuel tank in which a reserve supply of 300 gallons of petrol is carried, whilst the other contains a. water tank of 80-gallons capacity in addition to compartments for supplies of oil and grease.