Perilous Experience at the Pakarae.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 473, 28 June 1890, Page 2

Perilous Experience at the Pakarae.

On his last trip from the Coast Mr John Walker, the mailman, had a more perilous experience than usual, though his journey at all times is fraught with danger. At 3 p.m. Thursday Mr Walker, Mr J. Williams, and a Maori were be'ng punted across the Pakarae ferry, together with the two horses upon which the mail-bags were strapped. When the punt got to midstream the wire rope snapped and the punt was being rapidly carried towards the bar. To save the mails the horses were pushed off, one disappearing for a few seconds, then both making for the shore. The men began to divest themselves of their clothes, to prepare for a swim for dear life. But when the punt had got nearly to the bar the wire rope, which had been quickly paying itself out along the windlass, got caught by a knot that was in it,, and after some further trouble all hands got safely ashore. They were soon got accommodated at Mr Gibson’s cosy Pakarae Hotel, and after warnvh had been restored, a savory tneal was / demolished, and a night’s rest set up the popular “Jack” again. When he arrived yesterday morning he looked as happy as ever, notwithstanding the mud.