CAUGHT IN A QUICKSAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 November 1920, Page 4

CAUGHT IN A QUICKSAND.

MAGISTRATE’S EXPERIENCE. (rEII PP.E3B ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] GISBORNE, Nov. 8. Mr J. S. Barton, S.M., had a somewhat exciting experience Avhilst travelling from Gisborne to Tolaga Bay Avith a horse and gig- Mr Barton was driving on the beach at half tide, and attempted to cross the I’ouuAva stream, about 12 miles north of Gisborne, choosing the spot at the junction of the stream and sea Avliere he invariably crosses. Jest as the horse entered the stream an unusually big sea ran in, flooding fho beacli to high Avater mark and making the stream very full. Mr Barton ■hurried his horse seawards' to turn round and get on to high ground till the sea receded, and in doing so drove on to a patch of quicksand. The gig and horse both began to sink, hut the driver had to stay in tho gig till the sea receded sufficiently to reveal the bank of the stream. Mr Barton then jumped. and, standing on the cushions, tried to release the horse to give him a chalice, but'the horse’s weight was hack on the breeching and the harness could not be loosened. Finally, the ay eight and struggles of the horse broke the breeching and just then a second sea broke at the spot and seemed to help scour round the horse, freeing its hind legs and frightening it to a final effort. The gig aa iis immovable, but the SAvingle bar broke and the horse got free and Avas led ashore by the driver. After the sea receded, Mr Barton Avent cautiously out to the gig. The Avheels Avere sunk up to the axle Avhilst the shafts Avliich had fallen forward, were half buried. Both, Avheels and shafts were held as in a vice. Mr Barton walked back two miles to a homestead and from there telephoned requisitioning a motor car which conveyed him to Tolaga Buy.