HISTORIC CHARACTERS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIV, Issue 10106, 7 May 1924, Page 8

HISTORIC CHARACTERS

JULIUS CAESAR AND DICK TURPIN INVOLVED IN MOTOR ACCIDENT. GISBORNE, May 6. The story of how a local stationowner entertained, or at least intended to entertain, a hero unawares, and incidentally of how two historic char-

acters became associated on "the road from Opotiki to Motu, has just been revealed, states the "Herald." - Few people would accept without question a statement that Dick Turpin and Julius Caesar had travelled from Opotiki to Motu together, but such is actually the case. Contrary, however, 1,0 tradition, Dick Turpin on this occasion did not hold up the other traveller on the road, but Julius Caesar, true to the reputation of his mighty forebear, managed to implant numerous scars upon his companion, although he himself did not escape the conflict unmarked or unharmed. Needless to say, in these modern times Julius Caesar was not armed with any of the weapons of the mediaeval ages. The weapon he used, in fact, was nothing less modern than a motor car. A few days ago a motor accident was reported on the Opotiki-Motu Road, and it was stated that the driver ot the car (Mr Julius Caesar) and his mechanic were slighiJy injured. It is true that there was an accident and equally true that the car was driven by Mr Julius Caesar. What is not true, however, is that a mechanic was in the car. The occupant, as a matter of fact, was none other than Mr 1 Geo. N Bell, a well-known Palmerston North stock breeder, who recently broke the long distance reoord for England by riding a horse from London to York and back in 83 hours, thereby earning the sobriquet of "Dick Turpin.' "Dick Twpin" has only recently returned to New Zealand and was working his way from Rotorua to Palmerston North. At Opotiki he was offered a lift by a motorist, who was going as far as 'Motu. The motorist's intentions were of the best, but towards the end of the journey the car left the road, turned three somersaults and inflicted a variety of injuries upon the occupants. "Dick Turpin" did not know until he saw a report of the accident that he had been driven by Julius Caesar, while Julius Caesar is™robablv still unaware of the company he had on the road. "Dick Turpin at any rate has profited by his experience, He is now op his way from Gisborne to • Palmerston North, not riding in a motor car, but seated on a brown mare which he bought in Poverty Bay.