CAR’S WILD CAREER

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18500, 12 September 1934, Page 11

CAR’S WILD CAREER

WANGANU i EXCITEMENT

A Wanganui resident who conceived Hie idea of “driving the fastest fire engine in the world’’ created a sensation shortly alter nine o’clock on Thursday morning, when lie drove, a motor-car at a high speed from one side of the town to the other, finally capsizing the vehicle \viien turning off (lie town bridge below Diirie Hill.

Careering down Victoria avenue, and opposite the Selwyu buildings, the car missed hitting two oilier ears by a narrow margin.“ At the Ridgway street intersection a well-known Wanganui business man. who was also driving a car. had a very narrow escape, a collision being avoided by what appeared to lie a fraction of an inch. The speeding ear took the intersection at a reckless iate, and careered on toward the town bridge, while, pedestrians stood spellbound, wondering what would happen if other traffic were confronted on the bridge. Fortunately, no one was there. At the Taylorville side, the driver attempted to take the turn toward the left, and ilie car heeled over on to two wheels, crossed the road, and when almost capsized. struck the end verandah post of the Bridge Dairy, broke it in halves, and then came to rest on its side across the footpath. Tiie driver was assisted out and appeared little the worse for his ordeal, except for cuts on the face. As ho stood up. lie remarked. “Well, that’s that.’’ He then went to the police station and reported, himself.

The ear. an old model, was not as extensively damaged as might be anticipated. The benzine tank had hurst, and the steering wheel was shattered. The car was afterwards towed to a garage.