A RUNAWAY HORSE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5231, 25 January 1928, Page 2

A RUNAWAY HORSE.

TWO MAORI WOMEN INJURED. CRASH IN MAIN STREET. Shortly before 5 o’clock last evening people iin the vicinity of the Paeroa Post Office werej alarmed to see a horse, attached to a gig, careering madly along Princes Street towards Belmont Road. The gig contained two Maori women, Mrs Makuini Thwaites, of, Komata, and Mrs Pita Patuwai (Peter Taylbr), of Te Moananui Flat.

Mrs Tihwaites was driving the horse, and while proceeding along Princes Street she shook the reins to encourage the. animal to hasten. As this was done a strap attached to- the blinkers broke and the whole of the headgear fell from the horse. Finding that it was uncontrolled and. could see all round, the animal became; frightened and broke into a hand-gallop.

The cries of the women attracted attention," and a valiant effort was made by Mr G. Keeling and others to stop the runaway. When opposite the post office the/ gig struck a bicycle ridden by a little boy named Turton. The boy was knocked over, and the wheel of the gig passed over the machine. The animal then swerved sharply to turn into Normanby Road, but failed t:> trke the corner and a capsize resulted.

Mrs Taylor was thrown heavily on to the metal and Mrs Thwaites somersaulted out on top of Mrs Taylor, the seat of the gig following her. A crowd of people quickly collected, and willing hands assisted the women. It was apparent that Mrs Taylor was the more seriously injured, and she was carried into the premises of Messrs. W. Fleming and Son, where s,he was given first-aid treatment until the arrival of Dr. G. T. Smith. Mrs Thwaites, with assistance, was able to walk to Mr W. Simpson’s den.tai roojns, where her facial abrasions received attention.

The; injuries sustained by Mrs Taylor were slight concussion, facial cuts, and severe bruising on the body and limbs. After receiving attention she wajs driven to her home, and Mrs Thwaites was taken to Komata by her brotlier-iin-law, Mr R. Gage.

The boy Turton had a. miraculous escape from injury. The gig was badly damaged, and the handle-bars an,’d a pedal of. the bicycle were twisted.