OFFICIAL BOOT

NZ Truth, Issue 1209, 31 January 1929, Page 4

OFFICIAL BOOT

_» ; ■ Railway Department Kicks Man In Trouble CROSSING. ACCIDENT SEQUEL

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Christchurch Representative). An action savoring of departmental officialism, whijeh does not redound to the credit of the Railway Department, came before the Police Oourt.in Christchurch recently. In. this case the" State paid a poor compliment to a servant who has rendered efficient service for fifteen years or more.

THE. case was an unfortunate, sequel to a level crossing fatality w*hich occurred at Woolston some weeks ago, when a collision between a Portbound, train and a Public Works Department, motor-lorry resulted m one of seven workmen riding on the lorry losing' his life. At the inquest it was shown ; that Thomas Crawford, driver of the lorry, who has held a similar position with the department for the past fifteen years, exercised the usual precaution | when approaching the crossing, the view of which is ■

way—forced the issue until the Police Department took action against Crawford under the Railways Act for attempting to cross when the line was not clear.

The responsibility for a man's death, though purely accidental, ' weighed heavily on Crawford, and thfe- mental strain he has suffered has imposed a greater hardship on him than any summary penalty the court could impose-

The appreciation of five fellow workmen, who thank his presence of mind for their existence to-day, has not overcome the mental anxiety which Johnston's death

imposed on Craw-

alrriost totally obscured by a hedge of trees. The law holds that fifteen , miles, an hour is a reason-

able speed at which to approach all crossings except those which are regarded as being particularly dangerous, and Crawford was keeping well within reasonable limits when his proven sped was merely eight miles an hour. His workmates testified that once Crawford realized his plight he exercised commendable presence of mind and almost succeeded m averting the collision, which was not a severe one. The Railway Department, however, m its anxiety to absolve itself from any' responsibility — which was quite unnecessary since the onus is on the Public r Works Department, through its servant, to give the locomotive right of,

ford's - mind, and he almost suffered a nervous' breakdown. • It is to the credit of the v Public . Works Department that Crawford was not involved m any expense m defending the action, which can Best be described as putting m the official boot while a man is down. CraAvford's counsel, by reason of the position . he holds m relation to the State, refrained from commenting on the case. beyond stating what the defendant nad already suffered.

What Magistrate Mosley, who is usually severe on offending motorists, thought of the action can best be judged from his penalty — Crawford waa convicted, and ordered to pay costs.

Within Limits