The mysterious tale of a yellow wheel turned black culminated in a 50th anniversary reunion of once intrepid youngsters in Lawrence yesterday.
Members of Dunedin’s former Pitcairn Venturers scout group gathered at Lawrence Museum to mark 50 years since they re-enacted one of the early 1860s’ Cobb & Co carriage journeys from Dunedin to Clyde.
Group spokesman Jim Binnie (69) said what had begun as a shared challenge for the troop of teenagers quickly took on a life of its own as public and media interest grew in the exploit.
"We were well covered by the ODT, local news and radio, as well as a Canadian film crew, and our own amateur film-makers.
"We left in disgusting weather on Boxing Day, 1972, and arrived in Clyde on New Year’s Eve to great fanfare and huge crowds. It was quite the adventure."
Mr Binnie, who still lives in Dunedin, said damage to a wheel when the carriage reached Paerau’s Styx jail had led eventually to the rediscovery of the carriage in 2010, and a series of reunions culminating in a gathering of 18 yesterday.
"We put the call out via radio for a replacement wheel and, within a couple of hours, we had about 100 farmers turn up with every wagon wheel you could imagine."
This was duly retrieved, and fit perfectly — despite being something of a contrast in colour.
"The remaining three wheels were bright, Cobb & Co yellow, but this spare was a deep and glossy black. It turned out they pulled it off a vintage hearse."
He said the troop returned the carriage to its Lawrence owner Ted Weatherall after the epic re-enactment and, during the intervening years, lost touch with each other and the whereabouts of their doughty wagon.
But in 2010, during a visit to Lawrence Museum with his wife, Mr Binnie was delighted to rediscover what he was sure was the original vehicle.
"She said, ‘How do you know it’s yours?’. And I told her to look around the other side for a black wheel and, lo and behold, there it was."
To mark the occasion, he and other members of the expedition passed artefacts into the museum’s care, including original footage of the trip, a book of clippings and memories, and a painting of the carriage.
Museum manager Jess Weichler said the museum was delighted to host the reunion and receive the memorabilia.
"The carriage is our biggest single item, and one that draws a lot of attention.
"People often want to climb on it and sit in the seats — usually the adult visitors. Unfortunately it’s become quite fragile down the years, so we have to disappoint them."
Mr Binnie said, despite the carriage’s frailty, it retained a special place in expedition members’ hearts.
"The whole adventure gave us a can-do attitude. I think that’s something that’s remained with all of us throughout our lives."
