FALL INTO- RIVER

Hokitika Guardian, 14 December 1933, Page 6

FALL INTO- RIVER

A -MISHAP TO - SANTA CLAUS

MODERN TRANSPORT FAILS

GISBORNE, December 12

While hundreds of . children, awaited the arrival of “Santa. Claus’:’ in the neighbourhood of tile Trafalgar rotunda this morning Father Christinas was having' trouble with his modern system of transport, and in a valiant: effort to keep his <me : -pf the-lead-ing stores, suffered the mishap .of -falling into the Waimata River.

It had been intended -that "Santa Claus” -should be met. at a bend in the Wiviniata River by a motor-laun-ch carrying a brass hand and suitably decorated. “Santa Claus” was there, the baud' was there and the decorations wer. e there. The .launch was boarded bv “Santa Claus” in good order, but for the first time in its long a-fid useful life the engine of the boat refused to function. Eventually it was..-decided to disembark ...“Santa •Claus”,' and. convey him to the reception place by mowi-ta*'. In the process -of disembarkation “Santa Claus” tripped and splashed into the water. Ho was rescued promptly and “wrung out” to the best of his .attendants’ ability.

Proceeding overland, “Santa '-Clams” kept hi's appointment and, in spite of the disarrangement of his equipment, carried off the occasion with characteristic joviality.