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Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8541, 23 September 1907, Page 5

I3y Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, September 21. A statement made before the South Island Railway Appeal Board at Riverton that if drivers were slow or too cautious they were reduced in pay was brought before the Railway Department by a Post reporter. The Department states that the position was not correctly put by Mr Thomas, counsel for ex-driver Smith. The responsible officers of the Department have no knowledge that a breach of rule 74 has been taking place as a matter of custom, and tiiey do not believe that the enginemen of the service who know full well that severe punishment must overtake them 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 Driver Smith was governed by the rules in operation at that time." Driver 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 with the aid of the Westinghouse brake, and a collision resulted. The department absolutely denies the statement that if drivers were slow or too cautious they we~e reduced in pay. No immber of the service has over been punished for acting in a manner calculated to ensure public safety, and a considerable number have been highly comrr.ended and rewarded for in cases of emergency.