THE GOVERNOR'S ARRIVAL

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 252, 21 October 1892, Page 3

THE GOVERNOR'S ARRIVAL

AN UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT,

NINE PERSONS INJURED.

Tub fete of yoaterday, celebrating the arrival of Lord Glasgow, was attended by what was nearly a very serious accident toward tlio conclusion of tlio affair. An enormous throng of people collected at the entrance to tho Uovernraent House grounds facing tho Northern Club in Princes-street, among tho crowd being several busies, cabs, iind traps, each loaded with sightseers. One of these, a two horse double seated buggy belonging to Mr Thomas Cottlo, of Remuera, and having fivo occupants, was the cause of an unfortunato accident, which resulted in several people being hurt). Prior to tho arrival of tho Governor, a band took up a position near the gate and alongside the horses in tho buggy. After tho cortege passed along, and just as tho crowd was forming into a compact mass, ono of tho musical instruments touched the noße of tho near hon?o causing it to rear and plunge and start tho other one. A panic-stricken rush ensued, everybody trying to got out of tho way with m much expedition as possible. Several courageous persons caught the horses by the head, and secured them before they hud tirdo to bolt. Had this not been done, several fatalities would inevitably have resulted. Tho crush was so dense that half a dozen people sustained injuries, A fishmonger of Freeman's Bay, named Damons, was knocked down, and when picked up was in a Eemi • conscious state, and bleeding freoly irom cuts on tho head. Ho was taken to the house of Mrs MeKenzie, in Waterloo Quadrant, and attended there by Dr. Lewis, and was afterwards able to proceed home. Mrs Cuthberf, wife of Mr Uuthbert, carter, of Parnoll. waa present with throe children. One of these was a 6mall boby in her arms, and it had a most miraculous escape from death. Mra Cuthbort was knocked down and tho baby fell between tho wheels, but did not receive a scratch, while its mother was bruised. Tho little girl was knocked down, and was pulled from under the wheels of tho buggy just as one of tho wheols was going over her. She had two ribs broken, and her brother was bruised and received several cuts. Another boy named Johnson was also, seriously hurt. The wheel of the buggy crushed tho calf of his leg, causing a nasty wound, and hi 3 head was also injured. Ho was removed to another house in Waterloo Quadrant and attended by Drs. Lewis and Kendordine. A number of stitche3 were required to close the gap in his leg, and he was sent homo after an hour's rest. A lady named Mrs Corrio was struck by one of tho horse's feet, and had her dross torn, and her right foot was badly bruised and cub, but no bones were broken. Sho was conveyed to the Grand Hotel, and afterwards went homo in a cab. Another lady was taken into tho Northern Club in an unconscious state, but it was found that sho had only fainted, and sho also went home shortly. A little girl of 0 years, named Rose Vosta, had her kneo cut a great deal, leaving an uely open wound. Sho was attended by Dr. Kcnderdine, and waa afterwards taken home in a cab by Mr& Cottinghatn. A young girl named Edith George, was knocked down by one of tho horses and rendered unconscious. Constable Gordon took her to Dr. Haines, and sho was restored. Sho had evidently been stunned. Sho returned to the Union Bank of Australia, where sho lived later on. Father Walter Macdonald, who was present, was promptly in attendance upon the sufferers, and assisted to calm the excitement that prevailed.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Would you kindly allow me to explain in your columns the cause of the do* plot-able accident which occurred at Government House gato yesterday. From the report in this morning's " Herald " it might be inferred that my horses wera not accustomed to crowds. This 13 not the case I have driven the one which first took fright for ten years. He has also constantly been driven by tho ladio3 of my family." The other I have driven four year?. During that time I have had them in all sorts of crowds both in Canterbury and Auckland. I took up my stand well outside the pedestrians in the first place, though they crowded down to the buggy afterwards. Other traps prevonted mo moving further away. Tho horsc3 had stood still during the passing of the procession, never moving while tho bands were playing, etc. I wan waiting for tho othor traps which hemmed mo in to move, and also tho crowd which were passing through them, when lorno membors of the band came out of the grounds. Instead of going quietly through the pedestrians, they most recklessly and reprehenslbly rushed in bobweon the vehicles, brushing suddenly and quickly by my horses' noses almost, if not quite, touching thorn with their glittering instrument.*. This naturally caused them to start back and to plunge violently, and although I had tho brako hard on I could not at once restrain tliem. Had I been in any way to blame in tho matter I would have been tho first to admit it. Thanking you for the Bpace accorded me.—l am, etc.,

Thos. Cottle