A Wicked Act.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 64, 15 November 1913, Page 5

A Wicked Act.

TRAIN-WRECKING.

A NARROW ESCAPE.

[Per Presb Association. I

'•< Auckland, November 14. A. deliberate attempt was made on

Thursday evening to wreck the southward Main Trunk express train by the use of gelignite, between Ellerslie and Green Lane. By a fortunate accident the plot was discovered and the explosives were removed from the line a few moments before the train passed over the spot. Twelve plugs of gelignite wore used to carry out the plan, and when the explosive was discovered the detonators were in position in the plugs. The charge was bound together with a band and this was laid upon one of the rails. .Had the locomotive passed over it a ghastly tragedy would have been caused.

There is ample evidence that a plan was deliberately designed either to wreck the express or to use it as an instrument to destroy railway communication with the south.

The credit for the prevention of its fulfilment is due to an elderly man, whose identity lias not been disclosed. He had travelled to Green Lane by a train which leaves the city a quarter of an hour ahead of the express. He was walking along the railway, and approaching the racecourse platform, when he saw in the moonlight a dark object alongside the line some distance ahead. As he approached, lu perceived that this object was a man, who sprang to his feet and ran down the embankment and disappeared.

Fortunately his suspicions ,verc> aroused and he hurried along the line, closely examining the rails. To hi: astonishment he' saw that something lay upon the right-hand rail. At that moment the express,! travelling fast on the down grade, was only a few yards behind him, but with great pre sence of mind he kicked the objee. aside.

The train passed safely by', then tin man had an opportunity to examine the obstruction and found that hi tears were justified, for be recognised that it was a heavy charge ofigelignite, fitted with detonators. The man who made the diseovery took the explosive to his home. Earh this morning he took it and his story to the district traffic manager. The latter immediately informed the police and arrangements were at once completed to guard- the railways. Adequate measures have n'rifc been taken

It was stated that tkjs{ evening, t< protect the travelling public, the lines were beirig patrolled''tlhd special precautions are Hieing-tHken by the drivers of trains.