MINOR MISHAPS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 203, 13 September 1937, Page 6

MINOR MISHAPS

A Number Of Motorists Involved HOLD-UP ON BRIDGE A nunlber of niiaor mishaps befel motorists in the viciuity of Hastings during the week-end. These included a traifiq hold-up on the Haumoana Bridge, jn. which abgut 30 ears wero delayed thro'ugh two cars meeting on the bridge , and both drivers refusing to give way, aa aceident in the Maraetotara Gorge, which neariy resulted in a truck going ovqr the bank, and a motoxvehicle on fire in, a Hastings garage.' As Mr Rigger, of Maraetotara, was driving a truck down the Maraetotara Gorge about 11 a.m. yesterday in the vicinity of the power-house, he applied his brakes on approaching another car, His own vehicle swung round oa the slippery road surface and xan into a siip, finishing up about two feet from the edge of the bank bqlow which the gtream runs. The car was damaged extensively and had to be towed away. Until this was done the road was blocked for traffic. Another mishap, which had its lighter side, occurred on the Haumoana Bridge about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. About 30 cars were held up on both sides of the bridge fqllowing a dispute between the drivers of two cars proceeding in opp&site directions which met on thq bridge, Both drivers were adamant; neither would move. The hold-up lasted for about half an hour Until, eventually, one of the disputants gave way. After a considerable amount of backing and manoeuvring the lines of cars whiGh had accumulated behind each of the original vehiclos was cleared, A motor truck at McCormick's garage, iu Nelson street, Hastings, caught fire carly on Saturday afternoon, but the outbreak was extinguished by the garage staff while the brigade was being telqphoned for, their services not being required. A hose and boxes of french chalk were used to effectively quell the flames, and only slight damago to the engine of the vehicle resulted.