WARNING TO PARENTS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1118, 18 November 1879, Page 2

WARNING TO PARENTS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE O AMARU MAIL. Sir,—Would you kmdly grant me sufficient space in your valuable columns to lay before a number of the parents, of Oamaru a fearfully dangerous practice indulged in to a great extent by a number of tho juveniles of this town. I have noticed young boys, and, sometimes, even young girls, running after vehicles of all kinds, holding on behind, and when able to do so they obtain a ride by sitting or standing on the step of such vehicle ; and in getting off they frequently select a most inopportune place and time for so doing, often falling heavily to the ground. Now, Sir, I have been engaged for sometime cab-driving, and in that capacity have had numerous alarming illustrations of the dangers that beset that portion of i our rising generation, who persist in following that abominable "practice. I have endeavored to effect a cure by the free use of cow-hide and whipcord, but find it of no avail. Now, within the last ten days I have seen two children run over through this thoughtless practice. Yery fortunately neither accident was attended with serious results, or possiblv some poor cabman or expressman might have found himself standing before the bar of Justice to answer (and possibly pay, or otherwise suffer) for the neglect or carelessness foy which parents should be responsible, and I should like to draw the attention of both parents and the police authorities to the matter, as prevention is better than cure; and if the one would chastise, and the other warn children caught at such practices, it might prevent further accident, and I think the last of the above-mentioned cases should be sufficient to demand the attention of those interested in the matter. On Wednesday night, the 13th inst., three traps left the railway station at 8.30, proceeding up Tyne-street, myself in the lead. When opposite Mr. Sumpter's office, a small boy quite unexpectly dropped off my step. Trap J\C. 2, being close to me, could not pull up in time to prevent running over him. Tho consequence was small boy was knocked down, and No. 2's wheel, which very fortunately was a light one, passed over a certain fleshy portion of his body. Driver of No. 3 trap stopped his horse short and dismounted ; finding small boy not • hurt he administered a powerful dose of horse-whip free gratis, with tl;e promise of a second and stronger dos§ if necessary. Now, Sir, if this practice is not put a stop to very soop, a 'gipiilar accident, attended with more seizVgis consequences, may at any time occur.'. Suppose the case mentioned had occurred in daylight, when the child could have been seen by driver of No. 2 he would naturally have pulled up his horse sharp to avoid - injuring the child, and, as a natural, consequence, the driver of No. 3 r not expecting anything of the sort, and being close behind, would have run smash into No. 2. This would

have been impossible to avoid, and would have resulted in the interference of tho police, and either one or both of the Baid drivers would be charged with careless ness in bringing about a collision, while they were entirely blameless, and were simply driving according to the condition of their licenses. And, now, with thanks for fair liberality, and hoping that both, parents and the authorities may take steps, in the matter. I am, &0., Old Horse, i Oamaru, November 15, 1879. l