Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4139, 26 June 1874, Page 2

Those whose tender affections or morbid tastes lead them to visit cemeteries in newly settled districts of the Colony cannot fail to have noticed how many men in the prime of life have lost their lives by accidental drowning in rivers which are necessarily yet unbridged, but the fords of which aro not necessarily still unmarked. Even without visiting cemeteries, and even without being a very constant reader of the papers, one may learn that there is a large sacrifice of life which might bo prevented were proper precautions taken on the part of local authorities. Too frequently there aro intimations of losses of life which are attributable, not so much to rashness on the part of the ill-fated, as to the absence of measures for the safety of travellers. In now countries, the pioneers of which undertake much risk for a prospective gain, perfect precautionary arrangements cannot bo expected to exist, but in settled districts or on long-established goldfields it is reasonable to expect that so'mo provision should bo made for the guidance of the solitary wayfarer, and for the prevention of accidents involving the loss of human life. To make this provision, it cannot bo necessary to

go to very largo expense, or to organise any very elaborate arrangements ; but the work still remains undone. We notice, by a record made by a country correspondent of a Nelson paper, that lifteen out of eighteen deaths regarding which inquests were held were caused by drowning in the rivers of one district referred to ; and there are numerous other districts in which the proportion would bo found to be equally large. If the peculiarities of the rivers in such districts were perfectly unknown, and it indifference to personal safety, instead of the instinct of self-preservation, was characteristic of humanity, excuse might be found for this proportion of fatal accidents ; but this is far from being the case, and, so far as the peculiarities of rivers are locally known, it would be reasonable to expect that, in the interests of travellers, they should be in some simple manner notified on the spot. To establish some plainly understood system of signals at common crossing-places should be no , very difficult task ; the only obstacle to j'their full utility is the necessity for their regular maintenance ; but a small local expenditure should be sufficient to provide for that, and the object is as legitimate and desirable as the subsidising of Road Boards or the formation of tracks through the native bush. • In many instances of frequented fords there are settlers situated near at hand, and _ a small consideration, granted under certain regulations as to the observance of their duties, might encourage them to superintend the simple work of placing signals for the safe guidance of travellers who are not locally acquainted. Of course the value of such signals.depends upon their perfect accuracy, and, to secure that,constantattention on the part of those locally acquainted would be required, but that attention is not more than should be secured, in the interests of the many who, through local ignorance, literally carry their lives in their hands. Elaborate arrangements are made for the safety of life and property at the entrances of shipping ports; preparations are being made, with every' prospect of success, for the organisation of a system of warnings intended t» prevent disaster to our mercantile marine ; but in the many situations of danger to those who are travellers on land, there is no provision made for prevention of accidents or the protection of life. The making of such provision is much more a matter for local than for general arrangement ; but the man who will suggest or organise a practical method of contributing to the safety of travellers, whose lives are at present so frequently endangered, would well deserve a Humane Society’s medal, and ho might, by his suggestions, lead to the initiation of a system which would be generally adopted, and the cost of which would, with much propriety, and with great public gain, bo met by the Government of any Province in which it might be established.