THE PRINCE

Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 1920, Page 5

THE PRINCE

SOUTH ISLAND TOUR. DEPARTURE FROM NELSON. »y Telegraph— Press Association Nelson, Last Night. The Prince departed at 10.5 a.m. by special tTa-in for Glenhope, Murchison, and the West Coast. Prior to his departure there was a great children's gathering. There was intense enthusiasm and flag waving, and the Prince was followed to the train by a great concourse of people bent on taking a last farewell. THROUGH BEAUTIFUL SCENES. THE BULLER GORGE JOURNEY. Reefton, Last Night. Beautiful weather all day made the Prince's journey from Nelson througli the Waimea. Valley and through the mountains' of the upper Buller Gorge a succession of surprising Everywhere there was the utmost enthusiasm at the Prince's appearanceIn the more populous older setlements in the early stages of the journey by rail to Glenhope the people turned out In full force and the spirit shown was always one of glad welcome and goodWill. Leaving the more settled district Tadmore, "the place in the wilderness," added its quota to the cheering and flagwaving. Glenhope came out en masse and gave the Royal party a joyous send off as it transferred to motor-cars, and started on the eighty mile run to Reefton, via Murchison and Inangahua. The rugged hills scenery en route to Murchison were admired by the visitors, and the Prince was afforded first hand evidence of the work done by the pioneer settlers in bringing wild country vnto a state of production. Murchison's welcome was warm and hearty. Luncheon was partaken of, and then the moat impressive stage of the journey from a scenic point of view was entered upon through the upper Buller Gorge. The Prince walked a portion of the day'to enjoy the beautiful, sylvan river vistas more fully. All the visitors were greatly impressed with the scenery. After leaving Inangahua the party experienced the most exciting incident of the whole tour up to date. For the Gorge trip, the Prince's car took iip its position at the rear of the procession imd the others pushed ahead. Opposite the Inangahua railway station one of the leading cars stopped suddenly, and the next, following closely at a fair speed, had not time to stop. There was just room to pass at a slow speed, but in the circumstances the chance of getting past was a slight one. However, it was the only one, and the driver, T. Watson, took it. The car was almost past, but the slippery ground let the wheels flkid, and in a moment the car turned a somersault, landing straddled over a big ditch.

The four occupants—Messrs. E. Coates (representing Reutor's Agency), F. Morgan (New Zealand Press Association), Taylor (Internal Affairs Department), and G. W. Turley (Railway Department)—were shot into the ditch through li thick mat of bramble, which broke their fall, and acted as a spring buffer to prevent the car crushing those underneath. Plenty of assistance was fortunately at hand, the car was lifted, and the occupants released, shaken and scratched by brambles, but otherwise uninjured, except that the driver was slightly cut by glass from the broken windscreen, which clattered down, yet miraculously missed all the others in the ditch.

The car was righted and proceeded on the journey, hut the passengers were transferred to other cars. Those who believe omens, or are superstitious in any way, may derive satisfaction from one feature of the incident. The car's official number was thirteen. The Prince's ear reached Eeefton about 7 30, His Royal Highness himself driving over the last stage from Inangahua- His appearance was hailed by quite a large crowd with a great display of enthusiasm. After dinner, the Prince attended a reception in the Council Chambers.