KIDNAPPING THE KAISER

Patea Mail, Volume XLIII, 28 July 1919, Page 3

KIDNAPPING THE KAISER

At the Peace celebrations in Waverley last Monday a humorous incident that might have been attended with tragic consequences occurred, that was not set out in the programme. The Fire Brigade who had been taking part in the procession had a dummy representing the Kaiser which they carried on the hose reel. This was noticed and remarked on by a number of returned soldiers, and during a discussion a wager was made that a number of them would "kidnap the Kaiser" a-nd return to the town with hini in a given time. Accordingly several men secured a long rope and jumped into a motor ear and sot, off for the Recreation Grounds. They motored right into the oval where the hose reel was standing, and with cowboy-like dexterity succeeded in -throwing a lassoo over the Kaiser's head. The car was immediately headed for town at full' speed. So far all had gone well but the lack of generalship and the good work of the Fire Brigadesmcn now came into the scheme. Instead of the Kaiser being taken off the reel the firemen had so soenrely fastened him to his seat that the hose reel and all followed the motor across the ground at racing speed. Next the lack of generalship camo into play. The public had closed the gate going into the Oval and there jros a big crown around the entrance,

consequently the car was forced to come a standstill, which was most fortunate, as events quickly proved. The reel did not turn immediately behind the car but ran round at the end of the rope in a half circle, and for a moment or sc it looked as though a serious accident would tako place, the reel running into a number of children who could not get out of the way, but by the prompt action of a number of men the reel was checked before it ran into the crowd. The Fire Brigade men were soon on the scene and removed the rope from the reel. The car returned to the town and the Kaiser was taken back to await his doom later on. The kidnaphad no other course open but to p£ U P their wager and look pleasant.