One of the Westport Coal Company's carts, containing about half a dozen sacks of coal, was being backed to the footpath at the top of a steep grassy slope leading to the lower part of the street.
While turning round, the weight of the loaded cart overpowered the horse, and the vehicle commenced a perilous journey backwards down the hill.
Some way down it dashed across a narrow footpath, and the cart and horse, together with the load, were precipitated down a very steep embankment, and came to rest wedged between a house and the bank.
Part of the coal was thrown on to the roof of the house.
As it was found impossible to effect its release by any other means, the horse, after lying on its back for about two hours, was led out to the street again by the front door after being taken through a bedroom, the wall of which was removed to allow of its egress.
The people in the house (for whom the coal was intended) were naturally somewhat surprised at the unusual method of the delivery of their coal.
• There is now being shown in Messrs G. and T. Young's (Ltd.) window a very fine sterling silver shield which they have presented to the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society as an inducement to apple-growers to prepare exhibits of export apples at the winter shows.
The shield, which has been specially manufactured, has a most appropriate design, the centre depicting a girl with a basketful of apples, while in the background are seen part of an apple orchard with the fruit on the trees, and at the wharf a steamer with the cargo of apples ready for shipment.
Round the outside is a wreath, a raised design, and the scroll on top bears the words, ''Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society'', and on other parts of the shield are engraved the donors' name and the conditions on which it is competed for.
In addition to the centre shield there are a number of small shields on which the winners' names from year to year may be engraved.
The whole is fixed on a large polished oak mount.
There is every indication that the export apple business in the near future is going to be a very big industry, and the shield should act as an incentive to growers to give more intention to export apples, as it is certainly worth winning.
• When a Gisborne gentleman was visiting the Old Country he found he could not induce his friends amongst the farming community to buy frozen meat (says the Poverty Bay Herald).
His cousin was one of the prejudiced. Since his return the informant sent Home three carcases of prime wethers for his relatives, who were interested in charity work, to distribute amongst the needy in the parish for Christmas.
He also asked his cousin to oblige him by trying a piece himself.
This he apparently did, for the sender has received a letter from his cousin, who says that the meat was quite equal to the best of English mutton.
The carcases were distributed amongst 26 families, who all testified to the excellence of the quality.
The gentleman also mentioned that when at Home he invited the same relatives to tea, and, unknowingly, they ate and praised up frozen lamb, which showed that much of the prejudice against frozen meat was unjustified. - ODT, 15.3.1915.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
