A SENSATIONAL BOLT.

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1426, 13 November 1923, Page 4

A SENSATIONAL BOLT.

VEEANDAH BAZEI) TO THE GROUND. MIRACULOUS'ESCAPE OF CHILDREN. Soon after 11.30 on Monday ing a sensational., runaway occurred in Te Awamutu/'huit'fortunately it was unattended by damage to life and limb. It appears that a Paterangi settler, Mr W. Martin, had hitched his two horses, attached to a four wheeled farm waggon, while he transacted some brief business in the Waipa County Office in Bank Street. The approach of a tractor hauling large logs of maerocarpa on two trailers startled the horses, which bolted along Bank Street, turned the corner into Herbert Street and again round into' Roache Street. Mr Martin, hearing the commotion, ran out of the office and dashed across the vacant section, heading the animals as they came level with the infant school, in front of which several small children were playing. Though it was evident that he had a fair prospect of stopping the runaways, Mr Martin, fearing that the excited animals may plunge into the midst of the children, desisted, and the horses dashed "i past and on down Roache Street, taking to the footpath in* front of the police station. They careered madly past Messrs Collins and Downes' legal chambers, the vehicle narrowly missing the electric light pole on the edge of the footpath and incidentally grazing a bicycle standing' beside the building. At this point one horse sought to regain the roadway, but its companion stuck to the footpath, wih the result that they passed on either side of the row of half a dozen posts supporting the verandah beside Mr E. J. Taylor's drapery emporium. The verandah was completely dismantled, falling with a resounding crash to v the footpath. As the horses dashed into Alexandra Street they parted company with the vehicle, which had been badly damaged by contact With the verandah posts. One horse, crossing the main thoroughfare to continue on down past the auction mart, leapt over a stationary motor car without much damage resulting. The other horse swerved on reaching the footpath at the doorway of the Union Bank and scampered along the footpath to the doorway of Mr F. H, Vile's saddlery, where the horse fell on its knees. Recovering, it dashed into Arawata Street, but was there secured..

That there was no loss of life is remarkable, for quite a number of people were in the streets at the time. Mr Martin is to be condoled with, for little damage may have resulted from the escapade if he had not refrained from trying to catch his horses in front of the school. His consideration for the little children was commendable.