THIS WEEK IN THE PAST

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 136, 11 June 1938, Page 12 (Supplement)

THIS WEEK IN THE PAST

Anniversaries •THE most terrible level crossing 1 disaster in the history of the South Island took place on June 16, 1930, and resulted in the death of four women and two men. Four nurses from the Templeton branch of the Sunnyside Mental Hospital were being driven back to the home after a day's leave in the city. It was about 5.30 p.m. when the car, crossing the railway line at Sockburn, collided with the inward-bound Islington workers' train. The collision took place In the centre of the road and the car was carried 40 yarde along the line, where the engine capsized and dug into the earthen embankment. The engine was running tender first. There was no cowcatcher, so the engine mounted the car, crushing it into a tangled heap before toppling over. Six trucks telescoped and piled up on top of the engine and car. Fire then broke out to add to the horror of the accident. The fireman was flung clear, although injured by scalds and burne. i The driver, trapped in the cab of the ' engine, was killed. The four nurses and the driver of their car also lost their lives. The accident and the loss of six lives directed attention, as never before, to the menace of the level crossing. Battle of Banker Hill Seventy-eight years ago King Edward VII., then the Prince of Wales, visited the United States. Among the many celebrities that were presented to him was one aged, bent man, Ralph Farnham by name. He was more than 104 years old and he died only a month or two after meeting, the Prince. The reason that a meeting was arranged between the British Prince and the American ancient was that Farnham was the only living man who had fought at the battle of Bunker Hill. Although Lexington was the firet engagement in the American War of Independence, it was fought on a small scale, and it is really Bunker Hill, fought on June 17, 1775, that was the first real battle of the campaign. Bunker Hill was ostensibly a victory for the Royal troops, but actually it did much to hearten the colonist* and stiffen their resistance. General Thomas Gage, who was in command at Boston, did not take the colonists very seriously. Lexington, where his men had suffered heavy loeees while marching back from an expedition to Concord, was not sufficient warning for him. Taking the position lightly, therefore, General Gage did not bother to station troops on Bunker Hill, vhich overlooked

ByMax Whatman

his forces. Then when it was too late he found that the colonists had foreetalled him. They had occupied the eminence themselves with a force of 1500. It was then that Gage decided to occupy the hill. He sent Sir William Howe with 3000 men, supported by artillery and the guns of the men-of-war in Boston Harbour, to storm the hill. Howe achieved his object, but he suffered such heavy lossee that Gage was discouraged from any attempt to follow up his success. Speed King'* Death Holder of world's speed records on land and water, Major Sir Henry O'Neal de Hane Segrave wae killed on June 14, 1930. He was attempting with his famous boat, Mise England 11., to create a new record when disaster overtook him. It was two o'clock in the afternoon when Sir Henry took Miss England 11. out into the expanse of Lake Windermere. Within a few seconds the boat was travelling at a terrific speed. After covering a measured mile up the lake ehe turned and there was another great burst of speed as she covered the mile down the lake. For the third time the boat turned and travelled at almost her maximum speed. The roar of the great engines echoed from shore to shore. The boat seemed to accelerate suddenly. The great mass of machinery, enclosed in its slim white shell, swerved violently and plunged beneath the water. A great cloud of spray went up, and it was some seconds before the- graceful craft wae seen again. She reappeared, floating bottom up and showing a # great rent in her hull, but then sank beneath the surface. By travelling at an average speed of 98.76 miles an hour, Sir Henry created a new record. After being rescued from the water he wae conscious for two minutes before he died. Though in terrible pain, he was so much master of himeelf that he asked by how much he had beaten the record. Sir Henry held the double distinction of having created world's speed records on both land and water. A year before his death he had established a new land speed record of 231.36 miles an hour at Daytona Beach, Florida, in his famous car, the Golden Arrow. Temple Bar Removed A pedeetal surmounted by a dragon or "griffin" to-day marks the site where Temple Bar used to stand. In more than one of the main roads converging upon the City of London a bar or chain marked the extra-mural jurisdiction of the corporation. Temple Bar stood at the junction of the present Strand and Fleet Street, over against the law courts. A bar is first mentioned here in 1301, but the name is almost familiar in its application to the gateway designed by

Sir Christopher Wren, which replaced an older structure on this spot in 1672. Thie wae discovered to be in a dangerous condition in 1868. It began to sink and was buttressed, but the common council decided on its removal, which was begun on January, 1878, the last stones being carted away on June 13, 1879. The stones were given to Sir H. B. Meux, who eet them up in 1888 at the entrance to Theobald's Park, near Cheshunt, Hertfordshire. Although theee old gates and bars have disappeared, they still have their significance. When the Sovereign is about to enter the city in state, whether by Temple Bar or elsewhere, the Lord Mayor, in accordance with ancient custom, presents the sword of the city to him, and he at once returns it. Formerly the bar or gate was closed against the Sovereign until this ceremony was carried out. Wat Tyler Killed Wat Tyler, or, more correctly, Wat the tiler (one who makes of lays tiles), is the best known of the leaders of the peasants' revolt of 1381. A heavy increase in the levy of the poll tax in

1380 wae the cause of the revolt, which began in Essex and rapidly spread to Kent. The rebels marched on London and were for a few days masters of the city, putting to death the Chancellor, Simon of Sudbury, Archbishop of Canterbury, also the High Treasurer, Sir Robert Hales. King Richard 11., then a lad of 14, met the rebels with Tyler at their head at Mile End. By promising the abolition of villeinage and a free pardon he persuaded many of them to disperse, but anarchy continued to hold sway in London. The King, therefore, again rode out to meet the rebels. The meeting took place at Smithfield on June 15, 1381. The Mayor of London, Sir William Walworth, stabbed Tyler, and the rebels, appalled by their leader's death, allowed themselves to be dispersed. Meanwhile the rising spread to Yorkshire and to Winchester, but it gradually subsided. Subsequently the Royal judges took stern measures in the affected districts. The King's promises were revoked and many rebels hanged.