HORSES OF PRINCE'S CARRIAGE RUN AWAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13277, 8 September 1906, Page 2 (Supplement)

HORSES OF PRINCE'S CARRIAGE RUN AWAY.

Tin-: Prince and Princess of Wales narrowly escaped serious injury in a. carriage accident at Hertford, where they had gone to open the new girls' school of Christ's Hospital. Their Royal Highnesses were met at the Great Northern Railway Station by the Mayor and high sheriff, and after a formal reception entered a ceo-spring semi-Slate landau drawn by two horses belonging to the Marquis of Salisbury, the newly-elected high steward of the borough. The Royal carriage was- followed by a second conveying Viscount Crichton and Lady Mary Lygon, and was preceded by two mounted policemen. A third policeman brought up Lho rear. The cheers of the enormous crowds of spectators who lined the gaily decorated streets alarmed the horses, and as the procession neared the new buildings, which are situated at-.'the end of Pore-street and approached by a tree-lined avenue, the animals began to rear and plunge dangerously. The spectators were not permitted to enter the avenue, but a great crowd had gathered outside the gates, and as the RoyaC carriage neared them they burst into a, roar of welcome. The horses stopped short, and then, with a wild plunge, bolted. They dashed

THROUGH THE GATES AT A TERRIFIC PACE and, despite the efforts of the coachman, tore along the avenue. The carriage swayed dangerously from side to side, and it appeared that nothing would check them until they reached the dais at the end of the avenue, on which were the distinguished persons awaiting the Prince. The mounted policemen, who at the first mad dash of the horses had been left behind, now were galloping close behind the carriage, and one of them drawing level with the honses when thev wero less than thirty yards from the dais caused them to turn to one side of Hie avenue. Without slackening their mad speed in the slightest the horses dashed towards the row of lime trees bordering the avenue at. a spot where, just behind, a row of wards had been built. The danger was grave, and but for the fortunate circumstance that a rope had been stretched between the trees a serious accident would undoubtedly have occurred. At it was, the horses struck the rope, and the slight.-check thus administered gave the policemen time to seize their heads. When they were pulled up the trembling animals were separated by a tree, the bark of which had been torn by the mountings on the harness. During these trying moments their Royal Highnesses had remained seated in th© carriage exhibiting the utmost, calmness. WheSfthe horses were quieted the Princess was helped from the carriage. The formal reception was abandoned, and without delay the Prince and Princess, accompanied by the civn: party, went to inspect some of the new buildings.