NOTABLES MEET.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16423, 6 May 1924, Page 3

NOTABLES MEET.

DICK TURPIN AND .TULIPS

CA USA R

INCIDENT OF MOTT ROAD

The story of how a local station owner entertained —or, at least, intended to entertain—a hero unawares, and, incidentally. of how two historic characters became associated on the road from Opotiki to Mcitu has just been revealed. Few people would accept without (pies ticn a statement that Dick Turpin nno Julius Caesar had travelled from Opotiki to Motu together, but such is actually the case. Contrary, however, to tradition, Dick Turpin, on this occasion, did not hold' up the other traveller on tin road, but Julius Caesar, true to the reputation of his mighty forebear, manager to implant numerous scars upon his com panion, although he himself did not es cape the conflict unmarked or unharmed. Needless to say, in these modern times Julius Caesar was not armed with any of the weapons of the mediaeval ages The weapon he used, in fact, was noth ing less modern than a motor-car. It will he remembered that a ion days ago a motor accident was reporter on the Ojjotiki-Motu load, and it- wa; stated Hint the driver of the ear. All Julius Caesar, and his mechanic wen slightly injured. It is true that then was an accident; and equally true that the car was driven by Afr Julius C’aesar. What is not true, however, is that a mechanic was in the car. The occupant as a matter of fact was none other than Mr Geo. X. Bell, a well-known Palmers ton North stock breeder, who recently broke the long-distance record for England by riding a horse from London to York and hack in 83 hours, therein earning the soubriquet of “Dick Tut pin."

“Dick Turpin” lias only recently re turned to New Zealand, and was work ing his way from Rotorua to Palmerstoi North. At Opotiki lie was offered a lift by a motorist who was going as far a* Motu. The motorist’s intentions wen thr- best, but towards the end of the journey the car left the road, turned three somersaults, and inflicted a variety of injuries to the occupants, the drive 1 receiving a broken collar-bone, and the other occupant sustaining numerous sprains and strains. “Dick Turpin” did not know until lit saw a report of the accident in the TTeralr that he had been driven by Julius Caesar, while Julius Caesar is probably still unaware of the company lie had on the iv,nd. While the meeting of two suel notabilities might he expected to result in conflict it is not suggested that the in juries were in any way premediated. The car alone was to blame. "Dick Turpin.” at any rate has profited by bis ex perience. He is now on his way from Gisborne to Palmerston North, not riding in a motor-ear. hut seated on a brown mare which ire bought in Poverty Bay.