Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1880. THE ACCIDENT ON THE WELLINGTON RAILWAY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 4, 14 September 1880, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1880. THE ACCIDENT ON THE WELLINGTON RAILWAY.

In another column we publish an account of a frightful catastrophe on the Wellington-Masterton railway. On Saturday we issued two " Extras " announcing the brief facts, and giving the particulars to hand, which caused great excitement in the district. Fortunately New Zealand has hitherto been marvellously free from railway accidents, owing to the precautions taken to prevent such disasters, and the slow rate of speed permitted on the lines. In the present case, the accident appeal's to have been caused by a power for evil which does not enter into the calculations of railway engineers. As will be seen by the report, the train was ascending the Rimutaka incline, and when some distance up the hill the two passenger carriages were blown off the line and the passengers were precipitated to the bottom of the adjoining guliy, a hundred feet deep. It is well known that owing tojihe configuration of the country the Riputaka hill is perhaps the most windy spot in the whole Colony, and accidents to vehicles and persons travelling over it are on that account of comparatively frequent occurrence. Still, the gale which raged on Saturday, and blew part of a railway train off the line, must have been of unprecedented violence. This accident will undoubtedly weaken public confidence in the Wairarapa line, as high winds are of such frequent occurrence on the Rimutaka that the public will for years fear a recurrence of Saturday's accident. Doubtless in time the alarm caused by it will wear away, but meantime the Government will be expected to devise some means by which the trains can be protected from the frightful gusts which sweep the sides of the Rimutaka. The accident will teach its lessons, as such calamities always do, and it is to be hoped the authorities will not shut their eyes to the necessity of steps being taken to prevent a similar disaster. Upon this occasion we have to regret three deaths and numerous injuries, but had the engine rolled over, or the couplings broken off, it is probable very few who started from Featherston in the train would have been alive now. Happily so great a calamity was averted. Nevertheless, an indictation is given of what may occur at any time, and the Colony will expect such steps to be taken as will, humanly speaking, prevent a recurrence of such disasters on the Wairarapa line as that reported. — — — — — — — •

chflTged before E. S. Thynne, Esq., J.P M with having threatened Mi 1 \V. Osborne, of Oroua Bridge. The case arose out of the dispute with Poarce. Want of space -prevents us from giving a detailod report of the hearing of the cases, but it appeared the men had pitched a tent on Oaborne's land, and when Osborne prooeedod to cut the tent down, a gun with a cap on w«s pointed at him by one of the men, who S;iid he would put a bullet through Osbornu's head. Accused admitted using the gun, but said it was only uaed in self-defence, wheu Osborne cut thsir tent, and destroyed some of their effects. The prisoners were also charged with having said that Osborne would some day find his house burnt down. The Bench held the charges to be proved against both prisoners, and they were bound over to keep the peace for six months, each prisoner in a bond of £50, and two sureties each of £25. As the sureties could not be obtained, the prisoners were taken to Wanganui on Saturday. Extebtainment, — That clever company, the Lynch Family of Bellringeis, performed to a crowded house at Foxton last night, and will appear again this evening at the Public Hall. A new programme is announced. At Zero. — The funds of thn Local Board are at present very low. and to pruvent the account from being overdrawn, the Board did not pay all their liabilities at the last meeting. Owing to more advantageous terms being offered by the Bank of Australasia, the Board have resolved to transfer their account to that Bank from the Bank of New Zealand. The subsidy will not be due for some months yet, so the Board will not be able to spend much money for some time. Footbai.li Match. — The football matoh. which was played between an Auckland team and a team from Wellington at the the former city on Saturday last, was won by the Wellington men. Balance Sheet.— The Foxton Local Board's balance sheet for the past year is published in another column. Abused Privileges — The two young men Louis and Aristie, who appeared at the Court on jfriday last on charges of using threatening language, appeared to have been brought up to a different position to the unpleasant one in which they were placed. The former, a Frenchman, writes a splendid hand, and we arc informed can speak and write three lauguages, although his English was not good. Aristi is an Italian, and spoke the finest English, wi'hout a trace oi a foreign accent, and both in his cross-examination and speech in defence at the trial, showed that he had received a first-class English education. It is a pity that their privileges have not been better employed. Both men were described as labourers in the informations. The Hanoatira Enquiry. — The follow-* ing is the result of tho Rangatira enquiry, as telegraphed : The Court said there was no blame to be attached to the engineer or second officer. But the master was culpable in not having kept a look out and in neglecting to usft the log ; but the negligence was not sufficient to warrant suspending his rertificute. Ihe chief officer was most to blame, and they consider him guilty of gross cerelessnesa ; and he must have seen not only the New Plymouth light, but the light of the Hinemoa, then lying in the roadstend. The chief officer's certificate was ordered to be suspended for six months. The certificate of the chief officer was ordered to be sent from Wellington. The Essence op Coolness. — We have heard of some ■' cool" bankrupts, but Mr Hairy Brown is entitled to rank first of the noble army. A few days ago, tho Trustee in his estate sued a number of debtors for amounts owing, and Mr Brown attended to support the claims made. The books were in the most shocking mess, and certaiuly Mr Robinson must be possessed of the patience of Job to go through them, and bring the confused mass into anything like shape, but Mr Brown stuck to it that " Everything in the books was right, else why would it be there ?" Towards afternoon, however, Marry got tired otae ttioh swearing, and on going into the DojQjPud, " Before I give any more cv idence I want to know who is sroing to pay my expenses !" Just so. Mr Brown has no objection to squander his money, and pay his debts in whitewash, but when his creditors ask him to spend about three hours in recovering just a few pence of their mouey, he wants to be paid ■for helping them ! Surely if anything can show the rottenness of our bankruptcy laws, it is this little story. A Sensible Suggestion. — At the Local Boarrd meeting on Friday last, Mr. Coley brought under the notice of the Board the desirability of having a firaboll in the town, and the Chairman was requested to see the insurance agents and Mr Rotheram with a view to finding out what assistance they would give to such an object. We are glad to ace this matter has been brought forward, and hope that something practical will result. We feel 'sure that the townspeople would contribute largely to such an object. Departure. — Mr J. N. Flower, late agent of the Bank of New Zealand at Foxton, left per Wellington coach yesterday morniny, en route for Chiistchurch, where he will be definitely informed as to his future location. It is reported he ia to be stationed at Kaikoura, but this is not certain. In another column will be found reports of the presentations made to Mr Flower. Printing Electobal Eoll.— The contract for printing thw electoral roll of the district of Wanganui, has been gained by Messrs Russell Brob., of Foxton, as the loweßt tenderers for the work. The roll comprises about 2,600 names. Property at Sandon. — The Feilding Guardian states that Mr C. Simpson, late of BainessD, haspurchasod MrT.V. Brown's farm on the road between Awahuri and Sandon, not far from Mount Stewart. The property is a valuable one, and the price paid was £1,750." The Tbi-weekt/t Mail-— The settlers of Palmerston will hold a meriting to-morrow evening, (Wednesday), to protest against the action of the Government in calling for tenders for a triweekly mail service between Wellington and Foxton. Thb Pakihaka Tboubib.— The following is from the camp, Wimate Plains, under date, Sent. 10 : — The natives contented themselves with erecting the fence once yesterday, but returned this morning, recruited by the addition of two to their number. On the completion of this apology for a fence, they hurriedly turned and departed without waiting to \e spoken to or turned away. It appears likely that they wish to escape arrest, at least for the present. Over two hundred natives of both sexes, and all ages passed by on their way to Parihaka yesterday, accompanied by about twenty bullock drays loaded with provisions, for the forthcoming half-yearly meeting on the 17th instant."