“Taranaki Central Press” THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 1937. RAILWAY ACCIDENTS IN NEW ZEALAND.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 339, 21 January 1937, Page 4

“Taranaki Central Press” THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 1937. RAILWAY ACCIDENTS IN NEW ZEALAND.

Since the introduction of rail-cars on the Wairarapa and Christchurch-Hokitika sections of cur national railway service, public interest has been keen concerning this form of rapid tail transport. Unfortunately, two accidents with in a few months of the introduction of rail-cars tends, rather, to shake public con fidence in them. An abnormal wind-pressure caused the first over-turn, while the cause of the Hokitika one is now the subject of investigation. On top of that, however, a collision of steam trains near Auckland on Tuesday night has unfortunately added to the state of public uneasiness regarding their railways.

Actually, Tuesday’s collision should be disregarded completely. It was unfortunate and might have ended in disaster. But no one was seriously injured and the whole affair was a pure accident, due, apparently, to a set of circumstances for which the Railway Department is hardly to blame.

We are fortunate in the low accident rate of our railway service. With the exception of the Ongarue accident in 1923, when 1 7 passengers were killed and 29 more or less severely injured, through a falling boulder derailing the engine, the history >of our New Zealand railways has been one of comparative freedom from accidents of a serious nature.

The happenings to the two rail-cars does, however, open up certain doubts as to the complete practicability of the type at present in use. Does the present type fit the requirements demanded by the condition under which it operates? Common opinion is that they are rather high in build for the narrow gauge of our lines. That is layman opinion, however, and of no real use in settling the problem. It is obvious that the Railways Department has its thinking-cap op and is now giving the matter full attention. Eventually a new design will probably be evolved, and all will be well. , But two accidents, even under the circumstances, in such few months does not augur well for the rail-car service generally.

Taranaki is wrticularly interested in developments. Soon, it was hoped, a rail-car service would be in operation between Wellington and New Plymouth. The last accident on the West Coast will probably delay the inauguration of that service for a stocktaking by the Department is certainly indicated. So, if we have to wait for our rail-cars, it will be for the best in the long run.