RAILWAY REGULATIONS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 23 September 1907, Page 2

RAILWAY REGULATIONS

Per I'ress Association. Wellington, Saturday. A statement made before the South Island Railway Appeal Board .at liiverton that if drivers were too slow or too cautious they were redueed in pay, was brought before the Railway Department, by a Post reporter. The Department states that the position was not correctly put by Mr Thomson, counsel for exDriver Smith. The responsible officials of the Department have no knowledge that a breach of rule 74 had been taking place as a matter of custom, and they do not believe that the engine men o'f the service, who know full well that severe punishment must overtake then, would deliberately and as a matter of custom commit a breach of one of the most vital rules of the service. The offence committed by Smith was governed Iby the rules in operation at that time, and Smith not only passed the signal at danger in contravention of rule 74, but he did this at such a speed that he was unable to stop his train even wi;h the Westinghouse brake, and a collision resulted. The Department absolutely denies the statement that if drivers were slow or too cautious that were reduced in pay. No member of the service had ever been punished lW acting in a manner calculated to ensure public safety, and a considerable lumber have been highly commended and rewarded for promptitude in cases of emergency.