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Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11814, 7 January 1903, Page 7

A singular S(tory is at Ballarat with regard to the reason why William Lyons), Avho died in the local benevolent asylum a few -day* ago at the age of eigthy-three, came to be commonly known "as "Sir" William Lyons. lii 1867, wheu the Duke of Ediuburgih visited Ballarat, Lyons was engaged in the old Band of Hope Company, and when Prince Alfred ancl suite went underground at the claim the deceased wan?, the story goes-, told off to lead the way through the drives and crosscuts. Prior to conning' t<J Australia, Lyons, it is stated, behaved in a plucky inamier when) Queen Victoria first vkited Ireland1. The horses in the Royal carnage, it is related1, bolted near the .canal in x/üblin, and! were about to plunge into the water, when a young man bounded from among the spectators" and intercepted1 the progress of the animals. Nothing was known regarding the identity of her late Majesty's preserver, out when Prince Alfred was leaviing for Australia "his Royal mother requested him nob to.forget to reward.the young man who had stopped the runaway horses should he meet hip in Australia. When the Royal party had concluded their visit to the Band of Hope mine, the Duke of Edinburgh thanked Lyons foa1 liia courtesy and gxiidauce, and handed him, five sovereigns to drink the health of the visitors. Lyons refused the reward, and said he felt delighted at haying escorted the Price, simply because it : reminded him of thegoocH old' days in D ; ub : ! lin, Avhen he saved the life of the Queen;. Tne Duke inquired, "How did you save the life of my mother?" and Lyons then told tho story. The Duke exclaimed, "I re- ! member;' what is your name ?" The reply Avas, "William Lyons." The Duke said, "Go on your knees," and with a flourish'pi his hand he commanded., "Arise, Sir William;." The story originated! with the late Mr. J. Fitzgerald, J.P., who had a great fund of humour, but in Ms old at?". Lyons actually believed tln»t «!< this look place, I and that he Avas numbered among tho "aristocrats" of the British Empire.