NEWS AND NOTES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2959, 7 November 1925, Page 1

NEWS AND NOTES.

A accident occurred at the Gore railway station last week in which a three-weeks’ old baby narrowly escaped with its life. After the train arrived the mother of the baby went to the goods van to secure the pram for the child. The train suddenly moved while general luggage was being tipped out of the van, and a large hamper fell on the pram. The mother snatched the child away in time, and received the weight of the hamiDer on her side. She received medical attention, but apparently no bones were broken The pram was smashed with the weight of the hamper.

A Cambridge Professor recently worked out for the instruction of his students the problem whether it was possible to design a suspension bridge to cross the Channel in one span. Of course, if practicable, this would avoid all the difficulties and expense of piers and foundations in the sea, but it is to be feared that we are not yet far enough advanced in engineering science to carry out the idea. The professor found that with the strength of materials available to-day, it would be theoretically possible to span the Channel but the bridge would only just be able to carry its own weight, and it would not be safe to walk upon it. Also the piers at each end would have to be approximately the same height as Mount Everest. The danger that arises through fallen electric wires in the streets was recently brought under the notice of the Christchurch City Council. The report gave particulars of a ease that occurred a few weeks ago, and stated: “An exceptional gale occurred in the small hours of the morning, and a tree was blown across the line, which included ordinary low tension mains and street lighting mains. A young man cycling past at the time states that the falling wires touched him on the forehead and fell across his hand which was holding the handlebar of the bicycle, and then fell on to the road. He claims to have felt a severe tingling. There is no evidence to show whether it was the street lighting wire or the low tension line which touched him. Both are insulated wires but the broken end may have been bare. Fortunately he was unhurt. It subsequently transpired that the owner of the tree some months ago barked ineffective, and it was in this He had been gradually been digging round it, and cutting through the roots. He attempted to make the tree secure by a rope, but this proved ineffective , and it was in this condition that the gale struck the tree which in falling, broke all the wires opposite to it. The case illustrates that type of thoughtless proceeding which may be done many times without harm, but which exceptional circumstances may develop into a serious accident. The matter calls for some publicity for the jmrpose of bringing home to the public the fact that when trees near electric lines are to be removed they should never be removed in a leisurely fashion, and that the Department should be notified, so that the wires could be cut if necessary.”