A MINOR TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 31 January 1929, Page 1

A MINOR TRAGEDY

Last week a male passenger entered a tram at one o film “wet /.ones.” He was carefully carrying a bottle wrapped in several folds of newspaper, but tile character of the parcel’s contents was not fuglly concealed. The seats in the car being all full, this passenger decided ircgainst strap-hanging and rode upon the platform, the wrapped bottle being tenderly nursed. Within twenty yards cl a stopping place, whilst the tram was still travelling the bearer of the bottle stepped off and was flung headlong, and rolled in front of a motor car which instantly pulled up. Two fellow passengers went to the rescue, but the fallen man was dazed and helpless, and lmd to be carried to the pavement. In two minutes he had recovered the use of his legs, and in four could give his name and address to the conductor. His hat was found and restored to him and he was brushed down and sent on his way. Not tor one instant had he relaxed his lioiTl upon the newspaper parcel, which now contained, nothing but moisture and broken glass. W hen last seen he was walking quite steadily down the road looking with some doubt at the limp and semi-cureular cylinder of newspapers in his hand. —Auckland Star.