OUR ROYAL VISITOR

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14361, 12 May 1920, Page 5

OUR ROYAL VISITOR

♦ ON THE WEST COAST. AX EXCITING INCIDENT, (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) REEFTON, Wednesday. Beautiful weather all day made the Prince's journey from Nelson through the Waimca Valley, through the mountains and the Upper Buller gorge a succession of surprising pleasures. Everywhere there was the utmost enthusiasm at the Prince's appearance. The Royal party had a joyous send off at Glenmore as it transferred to motor cars and started on the 80 mile run to Reefton via Murchison and Inangahua. The rugged hills and Hie scenery en route to Murchison were admired by the visitors, anil the Prince was afforded first-hand evidn'.ro of the work done by pioneer settlers in bringing this wild'country to a state,of production. After luncheon at Murchison the most impressive stage of tin: journey from a scenic point of view was entered upon through the Upper Butler Gorge. The Prince walked a portion of the way to enjoy the beautiful sylvan and river vislas more fully. After leaving Inangahua 'lie party ey perienced the most exciting incident of the whole lour up to dale. For Hie gorpre trip the Prince's car look up its position at the rear of the procession, and the others pushed ahead. Opposite the Inangahua railway station one of the leading cars stopped suddenly and Hie next, following close at a fair speed, had not lime lo slop. There was just room lo pass at a slow speed, but in the circumstances the. chanco of petting past was a light one. However, it was the only one and the driver (Mr. T. Wilson) fool; it. The car was almost past, but the-slippery ground let the wheels skid, and in a moment the car turned a somersault and landed straddled over a ditch. The four occupants—►Messrs' E. Coles, representing Renter's agency F.'Morgan, New Zealand Press Association; Taylor, of the Internal Affairs Department, and 0. W. Turlcy, Railway Department, were 1 shot into the ditch through a 'hick mat of bramble, which broke their fall and acted as a spring' buffer to prevent the car crushing those underneath. Assistance was fortunately at hand and the car was lifted and the'oceupants released, shaken and scratched by the, brambles but otherwise uninjured, except that the driver was slightly cut by glass from the broken wind screen, which was scattered around yet miraculously missed all the others ::i (he ditcn. The car, was righted and proceeded on , its journey but, the passengers were transferred to other cars. The Prince's ear reached Reefton about 7.30. (lie Prinze himself driving over the las! staffo from Inangahua.- His appearance was hailed by quite a large crowd with a great display of enthusiasm. After dinner the Prince attended* a reception in the Council Chambers. HOKITIKA, Wednesday. The weather is perfect for the Royal visit and the decorations and illuminations' surpass anything previously attempted. Mrs Seddon is among the visitors.