A PARADE OF MAIL COACHES.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 203, 25 August 1916, Page 3 (Supplement)

A PARADE OF MAIL COACHES.

On May 17, I*3B, was held the last birthday parade of London mail coaches, for Queen Victoria had hardly ascended the throne before the railway abolished these historic features of our old English hghways. It was a fine sight in the good old clays of William IV., this King's Birthday Parade Twenty-seven coaches, each resplendent with a gorgeous and special hamniercloth. drew up on Millbank. Each guard had a new gold-laced hat, and (like the coachman) a new scarlet coat. The harness was fresh from the saddler's the brass work gl'ttered in the spring sunshine, the men sported nosegays as huge as cauliflowers, and tho hundred and two'horses were groomed "trll you could see your face" in their sleek,* shinv hides. The drivers "gave 'em their heads" at a given signal, and tlie procession wound through me streets till St. ihimes's P;i!.aco was leached. In front of which were two huge barrels of best ale, and a capacious pewter pot was handed to each coachman and guard. Then at one ..i the Palace wuidows appeared the sailor king surrounded by Ins family. His Majesty l ; lted bis hat anil bowed, nnd the coachman of the Bristol mail, who always led the procession, raised his pewter and nnounced : "We drink to the health of his gracious Majesty ! God bless him I" And he emptied h : s pot, h's fiftv comrades drinking with equal lovaltv'and dexterity, then the Kng retired, and the coaches drove off to the G.P.O. Their departure was usually a signal for a rush for the beer barrels which were, of course, emptied either through being upset or otherwise.