ROYAL VISIT TO WESTLAND.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15214, 12 May 1920, Page 7

ROYAL VISIT TO WESTLAND.

A SUCCESSION OF SURPRISING PLEASURES. MISHAP TO A CAR, (Per Press Association.) , . REEFTON, last night. ) Beautiful weather all day made the Prince's journey from Nelson through the W T aimea Valley and through the mountains of the ' Upper Buller Gorge a succession of surprising pleasures. Everywhere there , was the utmost enthusiasm at the | Prince's appearance; In the most populous older settlements m tho early stagds of the journey by rail to Glenhope the people turned out m full force and the spirit shown was always one of glad welcome and goodwill. Leaving tho more settled district, Tadmo're, "the place m the wilderness," added its quota to the cheering and flag-Tvaying. Glenhope came out en masse and gave the Royal party a joyous send-off as it transferred to motor cars and started on the 80 mile run to Reefton via Murchison. and Inangahua. The rugged hill scenery en route to Murchison was much admired by the visitors, and the Prince was afforded first-hand evidence of the work done by the ' pioneer settlers m bringing wild country into a state of production. Murchisona welcome was warm and hearty. Luncheon was served and then the most -impressive stage of the journey from a scenid point of view was entered upon through the upper Buller Gorge. The Prince -walked a portion of the way to enjoy ihe beautiful sylvan river vistas more fully. After leaving Inangahua the party experienced the most -.exciting incident oi the whole tour up •to date. For the Gorge trip the Prince's car took up its ]K)Bitioni at the rear of the procession, and the others pushed ahead. Opposite the Inangahua railway : station one oj the leading cars stopped suddenly, ana the next, following closely at fail speed, had not tima to atop. There was just room to pass at slow speed, but m the circumstances the chance of getting past was a slight one. However, it was the only one, and the driver, T. Watson, took they car almost past, but the slippery ground let ",'the wheels skid, and m a moment the car turned a somersault, . landing across a big ditch. The four occupants, Messrs. F. Coates (representing Reuters y Agency), F. Morgar (New Zealand Press! Association), Taylor (Internal Affairs Ilepartment), and G. W. Turley (Railway Department) wen shot into the ditch -through a thick mat of brambles which jbroke their fall and acted as a spring buffer to prevent tincar crushing those (underneath. Plenty of assistance was fortunately at hand the car was lifted and the occupantt released, shaken and scratched , with brambles, but othe^vise uninjured, except that the driverj was. slightly cut bj glass from the broken windscreen, whicL clattered down yet '■ miraculously missed all others m the ditch. The car was righted and proceeded oil its journey but the passengers were transferred t< other cars. Those who believe m omem or are superstitious m any way may derive .satisfaction from one feature of tin incident — the car's official number wa:---13. Tlie Prince's car reached Reefton about 7.30, His Royal Highness himsel: driving over the last stage from Inangahua. His appearance was hailed by quitr a large crowd with a great display oi enthusiasm. After dinner the. Prince attended a reception m the Council Chambers. •