A CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1298, 13 January 1868, Page 3

A CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS.

Th3BE was quite a series of accidents ou Saturday last. Whether the day itself was a peculiarly unlucky one in the calendar, or whether on the other hand, the receipt of some unusually exciting and welcome piece of intelligence from the gold-fields had disturbed the wonted equanimity, and often apathy of our fellow citizens, causing them to relax that caution which ever taketh care that it stumbleth not, we dare not say, but certain it is that there was a more plentiful crop of accidents than we have had occasion to chronicle for some months past. Horses were bolting about and kicking up their heeJs with a species of equine hilarity, seldom found in the ordinary hack, and carts were describing evolutions of the most eccentric character, to the great jeopardy of her Majesty's faithful lieges, and staid matrons on marketing thoughts intent. First of all an accident which it is surprising was not attended with fatal - results, occurred to a young man named Watts, one of the employees of Mr. S. H. Smith. He was engaged in an upper room of the store, receiving goods which were being drawn up from below by aid of a patent lift, when he accidently lost his balance, and fell from a height of 26 feet to the cellar below. He remained for sometime in a state of insensibility, but most providentially the injuries are confined to severe contusions and bruises on the right arm. and leg. Medical assistance was at once procured, and having been restored to consciousness, he was removed to his house, where up to a late hour yesterday he was doing well. The next accident was of a different character,

though the results might hare been equally, serious, if not more so. A driver named Dibble, was in the act of attaching the nose-bag to his norse's head, partially removing the winkers in so doing, when the animal, startled by a passing "vehicle, made a sudden bolt from the Stand. Lower Queen-street, dashing along past the Bank of NVw Zealand. Several of the bystanders made persevering efforts to arrest the animal's flight, among whom one or two honorable Provincial legislators, suddenly startled out of a peripatetic debate on the want of confidence question made themselves particularly conspicuous. Legislative ability and physical exertion, however efficient in " coaching" lazy members, or " holding the reins of government" were utterly thrown away on this perverse animal, which continued its career as far as the Greyhound. Here, however, seeing obstacles in its path, it diverged up Victoria-street East, along High-street, when in '

•rounding the corner in front of the shop of Mr. Harris, tobacconist, apparently with tliq idea ot returning to its old position as a last resource one of the wheels of the Albert car came into violent contact with the the kerb-stone, landing horse and vehicle in an inverted position just in front of the new post-office. A crowd soon collected on the spot, and affairs were speedily righted, fortunately with no injury of consequence to life or property. Strango enough just at tho same moment another accident happened near bomervi He s corner. Mr. Chas. Major, grocer, Wcllesleystreet, was riding down Shorthmd-street at a brisk pace, when the horso probably aitrighted at the crowd stumbled and fell, throwing its rider and rolling over him. A rush was made by the bystanders, always pretty numerous -just about this celebrated rendezvous of tho loahug Iraternitv and horse and man were presently restored to their normal positions. Mr. Major fortunately sustained ouly comparatively slight injuries, his right leg being somewhat bruised and grazed. He was' removed to his home in a carriage, being unable to walk. A horse and cart belonging to Mr. Hurst, also made a bolt, but was stopped before proeeediug far. An officer of H.M. 18th Regiment, whilst riding out to Point Chevalier, was accidentally thrown from his horse and severely bruised.