Bill and Paul Renton with their Reo car and Austin Hayman.1911. PHOTO ALBUM

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DescriptionBill and Paul Renton with their Reo car and Austin Hayman, mechanic, drove the first car to reach Franz Joseph in the Waiho Gorge from Hokitika on the 18 July 1911, in 11hours 30 minutes.
The party left Hokitika at 6 a.m., and before Ross was reached they had to stop to repair two punctures. They arrived at Mikonui at 9.20 a.m. and pulled up at Ferguson’s half an hour later. Another puncture a mile farther on caused a stoppage and the Big Wanganui was notched at 11.40 a.m. The top of Mt. Hercules was reached at 1 p.m., and from thence to “the Forks” was traversed by 4 p.m., a little more than an hour was occupied in completing the journey.
In the photo Bill Renton is on the left, Paul is fourth from the left and Austin Hayman is second from the right. I don’t know who the others are in the photo or where it was taken on the journey. Maybe someone out there could help out with that.
Gordon Howitt Collection Plate GH 25 321 150085.

Nathan Hende:
L-R Bill Renton, Peter Hende Snr, Jim Adamson, Paul Renton, Blanche Adamson, Caroline Hende, Dave Stevenson, Austin Hayman (mechanic) Hende’s Ferry, Hari Hari 18-7-1911Date of Photo1911Map^[1]Contributor Geoffrey Bell

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Location (city or town)Hari HariWaihoPersonPaul RentonBill Renton

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Category TagOld Cars

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Date Created14th October 2025CommentsChristopher Stephen Blue
This is probably the William, b1871 and Paul Renton, b1878, who ended up in the Catlins / Balclutha.

Geoffrey Bell
Note the rifle on the left leaning against the fence.

Mary Molloy
Geoffrey Bell officiate customers ?

Alan Beck
Alexander Tce under 'Chunn's Hill'?

Geoffrey Bell
This photo shows inside the house in the background. The older lady in the car is shown in her kitchen / lounge. A typical kitchen of the time. Note two guns on each side of a ceiling joist. Heather Newby you may want to post this separate.

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Bill and Paul Renton with their Reo car and Austin Hayman.1911. *PHOTO ALBUM*

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Bill and Paul Renton with their Reo car and Austin Hayman.1911. PHOTO ALBUM