PERILS OF THE ROAD.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXI, Issue LXII, 7 April 1911, Page 5

PERILS OF THE ROAD.

AN EXTRAORDINARY STORY

AUCKLAND, April 6. The particulars of the allaged extraordinary behaviour of a motorist while driving from Awakino to Te Kuiti the other, day have come to hand. A settler states .that a man, accompanied by a lady, was proceeding in the direction of Te Kuiti one day last week, and was driving at a furious pace, and frightened .everybody on the road. Before his arrival at Mahoenui he had had .three encounters, .the first being a collision with Mr Jacobs. The motorist next came up behind a settler riding in the direction of the township. The horse took fright, and the driver had a narrow escape from being thrown over a sleep cliff. The driver, after leaving Mahoenui, according to the story told, ran into a horse and gig driven by Mrs J. Old,, who was accompanied by Mrs Castles. Both occupants were thrown out, and were badly hurt, the gig being smashed to pieces. Mrs Old was removed in a critical condition to a private hospital in Te Kuiti. Mrs Castles nas recovered from her injuries sufficiently to be about again- The motorist, it is stated, proceeded a further eight miles, and ran into the leaders of the mail coach team, with the result that the pole of the coach was broken. The driver had to return seven or eight miles to Piopio to procure another vehicle to continue his journey. It is alleged that the lajfy and the driver of the motor seemed to enjoy the whole proceedings, and never once took the trouble to ascertain the extent of damage or injuries <?r to apologise. It is stated that the oocopants of the car have been identified, and that a Court ease is likely to follow.