PUBLIC OPINION.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 161, 13 January 1914, Page 1

PUBLIC OPINION.

A COLUMN FOR THE I'EOPLE This column is " The People's Column." We invite them to express their views on all public questions and matters affecting the district. We do not identify ourselves with the opinions expressed bv our correspondents

A Mercer Death-Trap. | TO THE EDITOR.] Sir, —Under the above heading you some time ago dealt on more than one occasion with the torribly dangerous railway crossing in our township. This crossing is the main highway through Mercer and on the down-hill side of the lino auv

up train is completely blocked from view, until a traveller is right upon

the line. Quite lately a vehicular accident was narrowly averted, the horse's nose actually being knocked by the passing train. Nothing but strong reins, a strong brake, strong arms and a steady nerve prevented a disaster—but these qualities may not always bo present. It is not much consolation to us to know that

the Eailway Department is similarly neglecting other places. That they are doing this appears from a letter sent by the clerk of the Mount Albert Borough Council to the Minister for Railways, which 'reads as follows :

" I have been directed by my Council to draw your attention to the fact that nearly twelve months have elapsed since this matter wag

brought prominently before the Government by the Auckland Suburban Local Bodies' Association. Since then numerous accidents — some of them fa!al—have occurred throughout the Dominion at such crossings. One of these fatalities occurred within this borough—at the Onslow Road crossing—some few weeks ago ; in reply to a telegram addressed to you shortly after tho occurrence, the Council was

informed that the matter was receiving attention. As there are some twelve of such level crossings within this borough alone, my Council is much interested in this vital

(question, and, therefore, will be glad to leavn the nature of the steps, it' any, which have been taken to remove or to minimise the very serious existing dangers created by such crossings. I have also been directed to inform you that my Council is about to circularise the whole of the local bodies concerned throughout this Dominion, with a view to bringing such pressure to beaj- upon the Government as will compel immediate action being taken towards the desired end. In conclusion, I have been directed to respectfully state that my Council is unanimously of opinion that the whole onus of removing :he present dangers rests upon the Government, which is responsible for the creation of the existing death-traps at such crossings."

It is, of course, manifestly unfair to lay the responsibility upon the present Government for the death traps that exist, but it is unfortunately counted against them if an accident occurs. Mr Massey's Ministry has amongst its other inheritances hundreds of railway crossings which urgently need attention so as to make them reasonably safe. The Department, I know, cannot do everything at once, but I do .hope that something will be done, and done quickly, at Mercer. —I am, etc., A NABROW ESCAPE.