THE ONGARUE SMASH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2707, 13 March 1924, Page 4

THE ONGARUE SMASH.

LOSSES BY SUFFERERS

APPEAL TO GOVERNMENT.

The following letter has been sent to the Minister of Railways, the Hon. J. G. Coates, by Mr W. J, Jordan, member for Manukan, in an appeal for assistance to sufferers from the Ongnruc railway accident, last year:—

“T have been approached on behalf of some of the sufferers from the railway accident at Ongorue last year.

“One man has been totally unable to work since the accident, and it is evident that he will never again follow his previous occupation. The monetary loss wlich tins man has sustained amounts to a great sum, whilst his suffering has been made the by his fears of the future. The husband of the lady who lost her life is a returned and discharged soldier unfit for further service. T know that this man needs careful attention on account of his disability, and feels the loss of his wife very keenly. Beside the great sentimental loss he was put to considerable expense in funeral expenses towards which he received a paltry £ls. “As we were ready to assist the sufferers in the Japanese disaster, toward which we sent a round £25,000, T feel confident that our citizens expect the victims in our own land to be cared for. Your department, undoubtedly has the names of the victims, but I enclose this of the two whom T have mentioned. Tt is likely that the sufferers will petition Parliament next session, but we feel that the Government should more willingly show its interest in the sufferers of a tragedy which filled the country with horror and called forth expressions of sympathy from the whole of our people.

“Trusting that you will deal with this matter as urgent.”