Australian Items.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 15, Issue 790, 26 May 1870, Page 3

Australian Items.

COLLISION ON THE SANDRIDGE RAILWAY. TFrom the Leader, 30th April. J Considerable excitement was manifested in the city on Monday, on the circulation of a rumor that a collision had taken place on the Melbourne and Hobson's Buy United Railway Company's line at the North Saudridge Railway Station. Upon our reporter proceeding to the scene he learnt that the 12 minutes to 6 o'clock traia from Melbourne, said to be slightly late—upon what foundation we know not — arrived at the Raglan-street or North Sandridge station, and was .discharging passengers, the majority of whom had left the carriages, when an empty engine that had been engaged in ballusting had departed from the head station four minutes after the traiu started, came on to the Sandridge train, smashing one buller guide, breaking several windows, and knocking off a number of the louvres. The passengers were in the greatest state of excitement; women screamed, children cried, and it is said some of the passengers had their teeth knocked out by the force of the collision. The cushions were sent on to the floor, and and thegreatest consternation prevailed. In a few seconds the passengers who remained in the carriage (four and a van were attached to the engine) were taken out, One lady passenger faintted, and Mrs Patterson and Mrs Carpenter were severely shaken, if not seriously hurt. Edward King, engine driver of the ballast engine, states he was coming along at " easy speed," and when approaching the loglis-st. gates he got the signal, a grecu light, from the gateman, and he obeyed thecaution. When about 150 yards from the station he shut off steam, and pal On the break. It is said there were no tail lights on at the time, and no whistle blown from the ballast engine ; but the truth or falsity of this statement we could not ascertain. Dr. \V. 13. Barker, of Sandridge, was in attendance on some of the passengers, all of whom very soon went to then homes. An inquiry was commenced on Tuesday, at the offices of the Melbourne and Hobson's Bay Railway Co., into the cause of the accident. [From the Argus, 2<id Hay .J Michael Whelan, the guard of the train which was run into on the Sandridge branch of the Melbourne and Hobson's Bay Railway Company's line last week, and Edward King, the driver of the engine which ran into the train, were charged on warrant at tin.City Court, on Saturday, with a breach of the railway regulations. No evidence \\ 7 as taken, and the case was postponed till to-day at 1 o'clock, by consent. The guard is spoken of by habitual passengers as a steady, attentive man. The prisoners were admitted to bail.