The Daily News. THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1914. THE RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 8, 28 May 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1914. THE RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

The New Zealand railways are fortunately free from such serious railway accidents as that, which occurred on tho Main Trunk line yesterday morning. The remarkable feature is that tlio injured and death roll is not much greater. The first part of the train —the engine, the postal van and the sleeping carriage—appear to have borne the brunt of the accident. The engine was hurled into a swamp, the postal vin smashed to pieces, and the sleeper threeparts telescoped. It is miraculous that anyone escaped at all. As for the cause of the catastrophe, it is plain that someone blundered. The goods train should never have been on the line at the time the express was expected. A few minutes—a few seconds, indeed—more, and the goods train would have been clear / the mail train a few minutes late, and three valuable lives would have been saved, as well as the sufferings of the injured. It is not for ua to apportion the blame. That will be done in due course by the proper authority. But tho opinion cannot be withheld that there must be something radically wrong with a system that makes possible such an accident, that allows no margin of safety for tho movements of trains. By the death of Mr. Orton Stevens, one of the victims, the Dominion loses a very valuable citizen. Publicly and privately he did a great deal of useful service. Ilad it not been for his leadership, work and influence, Lower Hutt, where he resided, would never have been the place it is to-day. He found the town in a stagnant condition, due to the valley being subject to floods. The old settlers believed the river could never ,be controlled. The late Mr. Stevens convinced them otherwise. The result was the formation of a river board and the institution of aconservation scheme that has been completely successful. Mr. Stevens was elected Mayor, and in that capacity inaugurated many progressive movements, the effect of his operations generally bting the making of the town into the most desirable and progressive suburb of tho capital city. It can be truly said of him that he was the maker of Lower Hutt. He was a splendid type of man in every respect, and his untimely and tragic end will be regretted by a very wide circle of friends. To the victims and their relatives generally will be extended a very wide and heartfelt sympathy.