DRAY BLOCKS TRAFFIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 553, 4 January 1929, Page 11

DRAY BLOCKS TRAFFIC

WHEEL COLLAPSES ON TRAM-LINES GITTOS STREET ACCIDENT Two drays, each drawn by two horses, heavily loaded with galvanised piping, were turning out of Gittos Street into Stanley Street, not far from the foot of Constitution Hill this morning when the off hind wheel of one collapsed, letting the whole vehicle tilt over on to the silent policeman in the middle of the tram-lines.

Both tramlines were completely blocked and trams were forced to draw up and let their passengers disembark, walk past the blockage, and then climb into a tram again on the other side. .A. motor-lorry was hastily sent for to tow the damaged dray clear, but it was so heavily loaded that the driving wheels of the lorry simply skidded violently on the road without moving the dray. Sacks of grain were then piled on the back of the lorry, to increase the traction, but without avail. Finally, the undamaged dray was drawn up alongside; the other and. with some labour, .the load was transferred. As soon as the dray had been sufficiently lightened the horses, which were still harnessed to it, were able to haul it into Stanley Street clear of the traffic.

The accident occurred at about 11.15 this morning, and the road was not finally cleared until about 11.45. Not only were trams held up, but motorcars and lorries were seriously inconvenienced. The drays, which caused the trouble, are owned by J. R. Herring, a Quay Street carrier.