The World’s Greatest Motorcycle Tour (Part 2)

25,000 miles round the world on B.S.A.s 

Continuing the story of the most spectacular and longest running promotion ever staged by a motorcycle manufacturer.

The South Island

By Ashley Blair, New Zealand BSA Motorcycle Owners Club

As early as December 1926 the arrival of the tourists in New Zealand was eagerly awaited by B.S.A. enthusiasts in New Zealand. At this time Cathrick and Castley were still in Europe. New Zealand newspapers reported that the tour was another great example of B.S.A.’s enterprise. In March 1927 newspapers in New Zealand said the pair had reached Palestine and their machines were still going strongly. They had encountered awful road conditions and in Southern Europe they were often stuck in mud and had to work for hours to free their machines. There was now some doubt as to whether Cathrick and Castley would even include New Zealand in their tour, in spite of hundreds of motor cycle enthusiasts who would be waiting to welcome them. 

When they did reach New Zealand Castley’s description of entering Wellington harbour aboard the former hospital ship S.S. Marama on the morning of Tuesday 2 August 1927 reads like a travel brochure: “if ever a picture deserved eulogy it was the green-fringed, colourful, twinkling New Zealand haven emerging into sunlight from the robe of night mists – white gulls wheeling over a mirror of ripple less water that caught the early sun and reflected it without more than a hint of blue; distant sheltering hillsides that stole a soft bluish-green from the mist; a nestling town not too distinctly showing, and therefore not too suggestive of vile man – here was our introduction to those islands of the South Seas which New Zealanders call the Paradise of the Pacific.”

Cathrick, left and Castley. Courtesy of the South Canterbury Museum, NZ.

They were met by a large crowd at the wharf before going to a reception at the Midland Hotel where they were staying and then on to a civic reception by the mayor, Mr G.A. Troup. The Prime Minister, the Right Honourable J.G. Coates, had sent his apologies. Mr Troup said that the pair were to be admired for their indomitable courage and that it was the spirit of adventure such as theirs that had made the British Empire. Mr L.B. Beale, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for New Zealand, was the next speaker and said that pursuit of the unknown had always been a characteristic of the British race. He thought that a great deal of the tourists’ success came from their ability to greet the unknown cheerfully instead of being fearful of what was round the corner. “In this mission of our guests,” he said, “we see a new spirit emerging from British trade in post-war years; and British export trade needs all the loyal assistance it can have. We are entering on a period of intense competition, a competition which in pre-war and post-war days we have never known before.” Mr Beale said that in the motor cycle industry Britain easily led the world. Castley later wrote that Beale impressed the visitors as being the soundest and most businesslike of all the Trade Commissioners they had met on their tour.

The president of the Wellington Automobile Association, Mr PM Menton also spoke in welcome. From there the tourists went on to give a talk about their experiences to a fascinated audience at the Wellington Rotary Club. For the next two days the pair were on duty at the showrooms of the Wellington B.S.A. agents Messrs Rogers and Hall at 159 Upper Willis Street, Wellington. An advertisement in the Evening Post invited members of the public to come along and “have a chat” with Castley and Cathrick and to see the “wonderful B.S.A.’s that have completed 20,000 miles round the world.” The advertisement went on to say that, “This Round-the-World Tour on B.S.A Motor Cycles demonstrates their great reliability and power. After traversing 20 different countries, over mountains, deserts and plains, wild tracks where motor cycles have never been before, only the famous B.S.A. could have performed such a strenuous task. THIS IS THE MACHINE FOR YOU! Reliability and Service under all conditions.” On 4 August the pair were welcomed to the monthly luncheon of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce in Messrs Gamble and Creed's rooms by the president Mr C.M. Bowden. They again spoke of their travels through 20 countries. 

They took the overnight steamer from Wellington and arrived in Nelson on the morning of Saturday 6 August. That evening the Nelson Motor Cycle Club held a concert for the visitors chaired by the ex-mayor Mr W. Lock. In his welcome Mr Lock noted the capability and fearlessness of the two visitors they had the honour of entertaining. He also read out a telegram from the Member of Parliament Mr Harry Atmore apologising for his unavoidable absence from the gathering. Cathrick addressed the crowd and talked about the Isle of Man races and how different they were from motorcycle races in New Zealand. Castley said that the enormous production of British motorcycles was swamping the home market and hence the need to export. The two were unanimously voted life members of the Nelson Motor Cycle Club, the first time that such an honour had been bestowed on them during their tour. Musical entertainment followed with the chairman, Mr Lock, contributing “a little American humour.” They left Nelson at 5 am and spent Saturday night in Blenheim where it rained.

Cathrick and Castley in Timaru, NZ. Courtesy of the South Canterbury Museum, NZ.

On Sunday 7 August the tourists left Blenheim at 6 am heading south for a ham and egg lunch at Kaikoura. Castley and Cathrick were astounded at the 200 Christchurch motorcyclists who with a “living and pulsating roar” escorted them into the city where a huge crowd was waiting in Cathedral Square. The crowd had been diverted by two fire engines going through the Square to a fire in the Masonic Hotel. Just as the engines left the Square the first of the escorting motorcycles appeared. The journey from Blenheim had taken 8½ hours. As they arrived at Warners Hotel there was yet another crowd who “cheered lustily” as the two entered the hotel. When interviewed by a reporter from The Press Cathrick said that the roads in New Zealand were the best they had encountered since Java and that with one or two exceptions the roads here were better than in Australia. He thought the weather was wonderful and likened it to English spring weather.

In Christchurch a very heavy schedule had been organised for the travellers. Castley was taken up in an aircraft for a view of the city but he could not see very much because of mist. At 11:30 am they were given a reception by the Mayor of Christchurch, Mr J.K. Archer. This was to be held in the Mayor’s room but there were so many motorcyclists and others present that the event was moved into the Council Chambers. Following the Mayor’s speech the visitors were addressed by the president of the Pioneer Sports Club Mr Menzie who said that the club would do all it could to make them welcome in Christchurch. Next was the president of the Canterbury Automobile Club, Mr Flack who said that their tour demonstrated the quality of British motorcycles as well as the indomitable spirit that made such a journey possible. The representative of the South Island Motor Union Mr F.W. Johnston said that the success of the trip was due to pluck, perseverance and commonsense. The final speaker was the president of the Canterbury Branch of the Motor Traders’ Association who was glad to be involved in the welcome and thought that the tourists would find conditions in New Zealand not too different from England

Cathrick and Castley ready to leave Timaru. Courtesy of the South Canterbury Museum, NZ.

In reply Cathrick spoke of the trade between Britain and New Zealand and was pleased to note that 80% of motorcycles imported into New Zealand were British. He also said that they had never had as many motorcyclists greet them as when they arrived in Christchurch. In Castley’s speech he likened the scenery of the South Island to that of both Scotland and the north of England and it had made them feel quite at home. He also commented on the Englishness of the cities and the heartiness of the welcome they had received in Christchurch. After the reception they went to the showrooms of Adams Ltd., the New Zealand distributors of B.S.A. motorcycles at 152-154 High Street where their outfits were on display. At 7:40 pm they broadcast some of their experiences from 3YA, the Christchurch radio station. At 8 pm Cathrick gave a talk at the New Zealand distributor of B.S.A. motorcycles Adams Ltd illustrated by photographs and lantern slides. At 9 pm they were whisked off to be entertained by a concert at the Pioneer Sports Club rooms. Even that was not the end of their day because at 10 pm they were taken to Dixieland where the staff off Adams Ltd put on an invitation only dance in their honour.

Next morning, Tuesday 9 August, they headed south and reached the Somerset Hotel, Ashburton at 11:40 am, ten minutes late for yet another mayoral reception. The deputy mayor, Mr W.H. Woods welcomed the visitors on behalf of the citizens of Ashburton and wished them well for the remainder of their journey. The president of the Ashburton Motor-Cycling Club, Mr W.J. Dalley also welcomed them. The lunch was attended by 80 members of the Ashburton Motor-Cycling Club as well as their patron, Mr H.  Brown, town councillors and the town clerk. Mr Brown bestowed life membership of the Ashburton Motor-Cycling Club on the visitors. After lunch Castley and Cathrick headed off for Geraldine with members of the Ashburton Motor-Cycling Club riding with them as far as the Rangitata Bridge.  At Timaru people lined the street leading to Messers Adams the B.S.A. agents where they were met by a crowd just after 3:30 pm. Castley and Cathrick were welcomed by the Mayor, Mr G.C. Wallace, and Dr. C.A. Patterson on behalf of the South Canterbury Automobile Association and Mr W.D. Revel on behalf of the Motor Traders’ Association.  In the evening they gave the usual lecture with highlights of their tour. On Thursday 11 August they left Timaru accompanied by two other motorcyclists in time to arrive at Oamaru at midday. They were welcomed to dinner at the Queen’s Hotel by the mayor Mr F. Crawshaw and Mr H.J. Jenkins. The tourists, in reply to the speeches, said that New Zealand was proving the most hospitable of all the countries that they had visited so far.

Crowds gather to see Cathrick and Castley. Courtesy of the South Canterbury Museum, NZ.

On the afternoon of 11August 1927, they were met by fifty motorcyclists who escorted them in heavy rain into Dunedin. They parked outside Jago, Biggs Ltd., the Dunedin B.S.A. agents and were given a civic reception by Mr W. B. Taverner, the mayor. That evening they were enthusiastically received at the packed Otago Motor Club rooms. Once again they related the saga of their travels even though the early parts were well known to many in the audience who had already read Castley’s articles in The Motor Cycle. Cathrick explained to the audience that for B.S.A. to manufacture a motorcycle that was adapted solely for New Zealand use would be far too expensive. He also said that England would like to see New Zealand riders competing at the Isle of Man even though it might take up to three years for Dominion riders to get used to the conditions. English riders were professional and would not risk their necks on the grass tracks in New Zealand or on the dirt tracks in Australia. Motor cycling was a business in England governed by the Auto Cycle Union, a body which although unpopular was necessary. He thought that New Zealand roads were generally good as they had been able to average 30 miles per hour. Castley spoke about the popularity of motorcycle trials with the average club member in England. Motorcycling as a pastime was on the increase, especially amongst younger people and public school boys. He outlined the arrangements for the popular London to Exeter trial.

Potholes encountered on the road between Milton and Balclutha on Saturday 13 August resulted in Castley’s sidecar wheel coming off. Removing the sidecar took an hour and a quarter and Castley rode solo for the last 100 miles of their South Island leg. After riding on an outfit for so long Castley declared that the solo ride was the most terrifying part of the trip so far. They were expected in Balclutha at 10:30 am for a mayoral reception and morning tea but they were so late arriving that the stop was reduced to a mere five minutes, and the tourists did not even dismount from their motor cycles. The “goodly crowd” which had waited for over an hour were quite disappointed although Mr R. Hunter, manager of Wilson Elliot, the Balclutha B.S.A. agent, did get to shake hands with the visitors. When asked for an opinion of the road between Dunedin and Balclutha the tourists replied diplomatically that it was not bad apart from being somewhat greasy and there were numerous potholes! They were met by two motor cyclists from Invercargill and they all pushed on hoping to make Gore for lunch.

Seventy Invercargill motorcyclists met the tourists at Kennington and escorted them into the town. Their machines were on show at Wilson, Fraser and Tapper of Dee Street, the B.S.A. agents. At 8 pm that evening they gave their usual illustrated talk on their experiences. On the Sunday they went on a run around Southland with an entourage of local motorcyclists and motorists. On the evening of Monday 15 August, a concert was put on for the visitors at The Federal Tea Rooms, Dee Street with Mr A.E. Tapper presiding. Before the entertainment began it was proposed that a local motor cycle club should be formed.  When proposing a toast to the new club Castley said they were surprised both at the large number of motor cyclists who met them outside the town and that there wasn’t already a club for motor cyclists. Following Cathrick’s “amusingly unexpurgated account” of their travels, more toasts were proposed followed by musical entertainment.  Time was now running out for the tourists. To make up time they caught the express train to Christchurch on 16 August and then embarked on the Wahine for the overnight trip to Wellington.

Special thanks for research assistance to:

• Annice Collett, Vintage Motor Cycle Club, UK.

• Doug Moncur and Margaret Avard, Australian National University.

• Gillian Tasker and staff, Alexander Heritage and Research Library, Wanganui.

• Glenis Needham, Hamilton City Libraries.

• Jane Skayman, Mortons Media Group Ltd.

• John Cochrane, New Zealand BSA Motorcycle Owners’ Club.

• Mike Gooch, Puke Ariki and District Libraries, New Plymouth..

• Papers Past, http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/,

• Robert Cochrane, New Zealand BSA Motorcycle Owners’ Club

• Staff of National Library Reading Room, Wellington.

• Tony Rippin, South Canterbury Museum.

• Steve Foden, BSA Owners Club, UK.

Part 3 of The World’s Greatest Motorcycle Tour will cover Cathrick and Castley’s tour of the North Island of New Zealand, South America, southern Africa and their arrival home.