A MODERN "DICK TURPIN"

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 350, 5 April 1911, Page 5

A MODERN "DICK TURPIN"

IN A MOTOR CAR. At the beginning of last week there were rumours in town of the extraordinary behavour of a motorist accompanied by a lady driving from Awakino to Te Kuiti. Bowling along at a terrific pace the first encounter this extraordinary individual had was a collision with Mr L. Jacobs' brake which was travelling in the direction of Awakino; the second item was the overtaking of a settler on horseback riding in the direction of Mahoenui and with the whirr of the machine and "toot toot" of the horn the horsa bolted and the ritler had a very narrow escape of being thrown over a very steep bank. A few miles further on another horseman's charger took fright and gave the rider a lively time for a few minutes. Still going along at a madcap pace the motorist apparently either trying to break a record or "going for sport" had full charge of the road. At about six miles from Mahoenui this time he ran into a gig driven by Mrs J. Old and accompanied by Mrs Castles. Both occupants were thrown out of the gig and badly hurt whilst the vehicle was smashed to pieces. Mrs Old received a very severe shaking and was badly bruised about the legs wth the result that she is now in Wharenana private hospital in Te Kuiti and is seriously ill. Mrs Casties has recovered sufficiently to be about again. Still another deed to answer for: Continuing on his way for a further five or six miles, this extraordinary individual in coming round a corner ran into the leaders of the mail coach going to Mahoenui, causing them to swerve in audi an abrupt way as to break the pule. The driver had to return to Pit' L'io for another vehicle in order to continue his journey 'and deliver hi;' mails :u their destination. Both the occupants of the car have been identified, and it: is timiertsood that a court, case will follow. (t, is sai i thai both the man and the woman they <!nn'f dcsoi'.e to iie classified as lady a;,d gentleman, even though they were riding in a motor car- enjoyed the proceedings immensely, and never in any one instance in this extraordinary series of mishaps did they offer an apology or assistance, but went on their wav,