AN AWKWARD MISHAP TO THE NAPIER COACH.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 352, 9 June 1877, Page 4

AN AWKWARD MISHAP TO THE NAPIER COACH.

An awkward mishap says the Masterton 2Vev» y -befel the Napier coach on its out- ; iourriey the other day. Arriving at the Mahgatainoka, the river was so high that the ford could not be taken. The day was too far advanced to think of returning to ■Eketahtma, go that nothing was left for the helpless passengers-but to make the best shift they, could for the night. The coach the driver, a laSy. and-fbirf gentlemen ; Professor Tay-hai-'oSdjutrix " Lillie, Queen of Ba*ta/*being itobngst the number. To Bi&ke .matters- worse the weather was bad, with rain falling in pera roadman's Traa. camped in the vicinity, from Whom Ml Taylor and his lady received , shelter .for the night. Some idea of the nature of the shelter afforded may be gathered from the fact that they were stowed awayin a tent six by eight along with another woman, two men, and four children. The other two passengers, along with the driver, had to do the best fhey "could inside the coach. The only ' tiling' in the shape of edibles to be procured was a piece of "damper" moistened with a few mouthfuls of tea, so that it Will be seen that altogether, while the party were not well housed, neither did they fare very sumptuously on the occasion. The Mangatainoka is one of the rivers on this road upon which punts were lately placed. These, however, have

not been brought into use, in consequence •n the wire ropes not having been suspended. The ropes have been lying on for five or Bix weeks past, b\it in onsequence of the blunder of someone having charge thereof, the punts are, practically speaking, useless. Now that intention has been thus pointedly drawn of the matter, surely the completion of the work will not be longer delayed.