ACCIDENT ON THE WEBER ROAD.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXII, Issue 67, 21 March 1910, Page 5

ACCIDENT ON THE WEBER ROAD.

On Sunday morning a gentleman named Carpenter, a timber merchant from Auckland, hired a buggy and pair from the Coaching Company's stables, for the purpose of driving to Akitio. it was, Ave understand, his intention Ho take Mr W. A. Ryan witii him, but at the last moment MiRyan found it impossible to go, and Mr Carpenter decided to go' by himself. He left the stables shortly after 9 o'clock, and so far as is known, all went well' with him until lie came to what is known as Cliarteris' hill, on the other side of Waipatiki. Here it is supposed the horses bolted, but what actually did happen has not yet been ascertained, except that the buggy was subsequently found along side the road in a very damaged condition, and one of the horses was so badly injured that it had to be destroyed. Information as to what had occurred was sent to Weber, and the company's groom at once set off for the scene. On the way he met Mr Carpenter and a young man whom he had picked up on the road, leading one of the horses. They informed the groom that the horses had got out of hand coming down the hill, and that the buggy had been run into the bank to check them, but that it was all right. The groom then came on to where the buggy was, and discovered that about the only part not broken was the pole. The debris was at once shifted out of the way, and a search made for the missing horse. The animal was found in a very damaged lying beside the a hole in its head, its knees badly broken, and generally very much knocked about; in fact, it was in such a condition that it was deemed humane to at once destroy it, which was done. Judging by the appearance of its injuries, the animal had evidently fallen, and had been dragged along the road by its bolting companion. Subsequently Mr Carpenter procured another buggy at Weber, and proceeded on his way to Akitio. The marvellous part of the affair is that while the horses and vehicle were so badly knocked about, the occupants of the buggy appear to have got off without a scratch.

Later. Since the above was written, we have learned that after the buggy was run into the bank Mr Carpenter and his comapnion jumped out, but in doing so Mr Carpenter fell, and losing hold of the reins, allowed the excited horses to start oft' again, and it was then that the damage was done.