THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1907. FENCING THE RAILWAY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 50, 4 October 1907, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1907. FENCING THE RAILWAY.

THE.qiiesiion of fencing the railwaythrough the King Country was brought prominently before the public last week, when a Maori was prosecuted by the Railway Department for allowing a cow to stray on the line at Mangapeehi. The accident, which lead to the prosecution, happily resulted in nothing more serious than the death of the cow, and a slight stoppage to the train. However, as was pointed out by the Magistrate, the happening might just as easily been of a mosf serious nature, and resulted in a deplorable loss of life. The question opened up is a large one, and is of the utmost importance to the public. The Maoris have all along contended that when the arrangements for constructing the railway through the King" Country were being made, it was distinctly and emphatically stipulated that the fencing of the line should proceed with its construction. In support of this, a number of prominent Natives, who were personally concerned in the negotiations, are willing to give their sworn testimony to that effect. If further is necessary, it may be stated that, as long as the construction work was performed by private contract, the fencing was included in every contract let. Directly the Government undertook the wotk by means of co-operative labour, the fencing was neglected. Thus matters have proceeded, and the line beyond Puketutu is open to every stray beast in the CPijntry. The question of liability to fence is A-ertairjly a big one, as far as the Maoris are concerned, but, as Mr Northcroft pointed out, the question of public safety in the matter is an infinitely greater one. If the contentions of the Natives are correct (and there is little doubt ort that score), the authorities are, or have been, guilty of a grave breach of trust, and those now responsible should take the first opportunity of repairing the. breach. In any case, the Government m allowing such a state of affairs to exist o»i one of the chief lines of the Colony are guilty pt a.■serious neglect of public duty. The safety of ijkg public is the first consideration, and the aetioji of allowing the railway to go unfenced cannot be condemned too strongly. Every day the danger increases, and it will be no surprise to those'acquainted with the conditions to hear of a tragic and deplorable accident. Immunity from cjenous happenings up to the present can only be attributed to good fortune and the efforts of the Natives to preserve their stock ; but the old tale of * the " pitcher and the well " is sure to be biOugh.t home unless immediate measures to remedy ttye are undertaken.