RAKAIA RAILWAY BRIDGE.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1796, 22 November 1879, Page 3

RAKAIA RAILWAY BRIDGE.

At the Eakaia Court on Thursday, before Mr Guinness, the case of H. Ellis against W. Saunders was hsard. Mr Parnell appeared for defendant, who was absent. This case, which was adjourned from last Court day, was for an alleged breach of the Railway Bridge Ordinance. Plaintiff, who is a gatekeeper at the south end of the Rakaia Railway Bridge, said that he closed the bridge at 12 20 p.m. on Tuesday, October 7th. After closing it a man asked him if there would be time to go over the bridge. Before ho could reply Mr Saunders drew up in his trap, and told the man to jump up, saying there is a trap on the bridge coming off. The man jumped up and they drove off. Plaintiff called to them that they would not have time to cross, but they did not stop. If the train had arrived at its proper time plaintiff would have had to pull it up. Mr Saunders had often told him that he would not be stopped by anybody if a train was not really in sight. He reported the circumstance to the manager the same day. Was not very fond of Mr Saunders. Was not on bad terms with the defendant. The goods train should leave the Rakaia station at 12 35 p.m. Saw no one open the gate. Would swear the gate was shut when Mr Saunders came up to the bridge. The gate would open and shut easily. George Mapplo said he was riding beside Mr Saunders in his dogcart on the day in question. When they came to the bridge the gate was open about two feet, Mr Saunders asked witness the time. It was twenty minutes to eleven. Told Mr Saunders the next train would be the goods train down from Christchurch, asked the bridge keeper whether they might go on the bridge. He looked at his clock and said ho supposed so. Saw a trap coming on the bridge from the north end. There was no train in sight. The express had just arrived before they left Rakaia. Witness was sure this was on the 7th Oct. He thought there might be a special coming, and that was why ho asked permission. Mr Guinness regretted very much the absence of Mr Saunders; as the evidence of Ellis and Mapplo was so very contradictory he would dismiss the information.