"ONE MUST TAKE RISKS."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18678, 7 April 1924, Page 12

"ONE MUST TAKE RISKS."

MR. MASSEY'S EXPERIENCE. REMINISCENCE OF CANTERBURY. JbY TELEGRAPH. OWX COKHESPOfXDENT.] CHBJSTCHURCH. Saturday. The» fact that he bad been brought before tiVe Ccurt and fined for a breach of the railway by-laws was recalled "by Mr. Massey jn a speech at Winchester, Reference ' had been made tio Mr. Massey's experience in Canterbury? in his earlier days. The Prime Minister paid he was quite a boy at the time, biat was reminded of it when crossing the Ashburton Bridge. ,"I was only 17 or 18, said Mr. Massey. "I was placed in charge, of a threshing machine, and I was doiag my best to do justice to what I thought was a very important position. There was no traffic bridge at the time, and a flocfd in the Ashburton River had made it , impossible for us to get the traction eiigine •across. It was a 'portable' drawn by jfour horses. I made up, my mind that I the engine was going across, and I told.- the rn;»n in charge that as soon as the train passed he was to get the engine- on to th.i railway bridge.

'-There was a tremendous fuss. / A railway man came along and asked vfho was in "rharge. 'Young Massey here,'* replied the man on the traction engine." M*. Massey said they got the engine acrc6S, but the railway people tctok out a summons and brought him to 'Court. The evidence was given quite fairly and corroctiiy, and the magistrate asked him what he had to fcay. "I told him that the engine wis# taken on to the bridge on my instructions, and that it was important to get it over. Fined £1 without costs," said Mr. Massey, amidst laughter.

A Voice: They let you off light. Mr. Matsey: One mast take risks, and I have taken a great many risks sometimes.