Accidents, Offences, &c.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 263, 17 October 1884, Page 2

Accidents, Offences, &c.

(Per Press Association.) Auckland, October 17. With regard to the railway collision on Wednesday last, Robertson, driver of the Onehunga train, states that in consequence of the wind blowing from a favorable quarter, the smoke which usually hangs in the tunnel after the passing of the previous train had cleared away, and lie was thus enabled t.o see the whole length of the tunnel without interruption. But for that no earthly power could have prevented a dreadful catastrophe, and neither ho nor anyone else in the train would have lived to tell the tale, and he believes there were 200 passengers aboard. When he first saw the runaway engine he could not '

tell whether it was drawing a train of carriages or not. He blew the alarm whistle and signalled the guard to put on the brakes, and with all promptitude in his power, reversed the machinery and endeavored to stop, but had got half-way through the tunnel before the train was brought to a standstill. The runaway engine then ran into the other engine, but the concussion was a good deal broken through the brakes being on. As soon as the engines met, Robertson jumped on to the runaway engine and shut off the steam. At the Whangapona sawmills John Turner, while clearing away sawdust, was caught by the main shaft and had both arms torn off. Christchurch, October 17. At the Police Court yesterday, sixteen lads were charged with various offences. One was fined £5 for obscene language, and nine others 50s. each for creating a disturbance, and stoning passers-by.