MILITARY APPEAL BOARD. Railway Fatality.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1917, Page 1

MILITARY APPEAL BOARD.

Railway Fatality.

Cable Operators

WELLINGTON, Feb 27. Before the third Wellington Military Service Board to-day Mr. Markman, Chief Clerk in the Telegraph Department asked the indefinite leave for the twelve operators in the employ of the Eastern Extension Co. at Cable Bay, Nelson. lie stated that all had volunteered at the same time not wishing to be conscripted. Two of them were drawn in z the ballot after, they had volunteered. Mr. • Markman declared that if all these men went into camp the result would he disastrous, as the cable communication between New Zealand and the outside world would he considerably jeopardised,-find the Government had ;io control over the men. Members of the Board said this was a position where Government control was needed. The Board granted leave sine die, provided the 'men remain in their present employment.

[VEIi PBESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] WELLINGTON, Feb. 27. News has just been received of a shocking railway fatality at the Summit station near Cross Creek. About 5 o’clock this evening a railway surfaceman named Simpson Auld was almost instantaneously killed. Auld had alighted from the down 'train, and was crossing the line to go to his house nearby. He failed to notice another train backing from the siding, and was knocked down by it. Fifteen waggons passed over his body, mangling it frightfully. ' Auld leaves a widow and three children. The accident happened within about a lnmdredYyards of his home.