A DRIVE ROUND THE BOROUGH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 829, 21 April 1910, Page 3

A DRIVE ROUND THE BOROUGH.

MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS

TAKE AN AIRING.

Yesterday afternoon the members of the Borough Council indulged in an airing. Several localities had to be visited, and to do so on shanks' pony was thought by the Councillors to be rather infra dignitatem so it was decided to charter a carriage and pair. The Town Clerk went in search of the necessary vehicle, the nearest he could get was an ex-Royal Mail coach. He was unable to obtain a “ pair of greys,” and had to be content with a horse of another colour —or at least two horses of different colours, one a chestnut and the other a black. The contract between the owner of the turnout and the Town Clerk contained -a provision that the vehicle was to be driven only by the latter, so he mounted the box, whip in hand and took charge

of the ribbons. With a “ getup Darky ” and a couple of flourishes of the whip, the vehicle was brought to a standstill in front of the Council Chambers. Our City Fathers solemnly took their seats and a start was made. Going along Cook Street extension which has recently been metalled, several of the councillors passed most uncomplimentary remarks about drivers of vehicles using the side of the road instead of driving on the metal, yet strange to relate the municipal conveyance also

took the side of the road. However, when returning the councillors apparently thought it would be as well to practice what they preached and the vehicle was driven over the rough metal. Everything went along alright until the Avenue Road was reached and here the municipal conveyance struck trouble. The winkers came off one of the horses and the driver’s duties now became no sinecure. In a very short time things became very mixed especially the harness. The senior councillor who was inside the coach, looked out and seeing the position, ordered in a stentorian voice, all hands ‘‘into the boats.” He made a very poor captain, however, as instead of waiting for all hands to be safely landed, he was one of the first to leave the sinking vessel. In a very short space of time the vehicle was deserted, with the excection of the driver. The senior councillor now took charge of repairing operations and the conveyance was soon got into working order again. The City Fathers again took their seats and a fresh start was made. It was now found that the fastening up of one of the reins had been omitted and the brakes had to be brought into operation to bring the conveyance to a standstill. The omission was immediately rectified and another start was made. The rest of the journey was got through without any further mishaps, but there is still one question to be answered — will the Borough Council take proceedings against the driver of a vehicle —licensed to carry eight passengers—which was yesterday being driven with nine aboard ?