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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 18, Issue 1184, 29 November 1871, Page 2

The Wanganui Chronicle, November 23, says :—An accident occurred yesterday to the Taranaki coach, whiclj might have been attended with more serious consequences than happily occurred. After the coach had descended the Okehu hill and was pioceeding along the beach the horses took fright at much the same place as where the accident happened to the late Mr. Shepard and galloped off. The driver (Mr Morgan) not having full control over the leading horses, in consequence of the reins becoming entangled among the harness, continued pulling them round and round, but not being able to bring them to a stand-till in this iashion, he did the next best thing by running them up against a cliff, smashing the wheels of the coach almost to atoms, whilst the horses went away with the shafts. There were three passengers in the coach before descending the hill: Mrs Shepard (who was returning from Hawera), Mrs Quinn, and Mr J. P. Watt. Most fortunately they had got out to walk down the hill. Horses were procured at the Biighton Hotel to. convey the mail and passengers into town. It seems a strange coincidence that there should be another accident at the same place as the previous one, and also that Mrs Shepard should be a passenger both times. The approaching Vice-Regal visit seems to have brought things to a premium in Wanganui, The Chronicle, of the 21st inst. says :—" The worthy people, who, like John Gilpin's wife, though bent on pleasure, have a frugal mind, are getting absolutely dumbfoundered at the price of tickets for the proposed Bridge Ball. The tariff of our contemporary is said to be something astounding He began with 30s a ticket, and since then, most likely as the Horatian odiprofanum vulgus feeling has grown the price has kept pace with it., until we are credibly informed it was at one time as high as .£lO for a lady's ticket! If that will not make a select gathering and cause the ladies who are present to be in request, we do not know anything in the Brummagem style that will."