The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE. Proprietor. THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1899.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 231, 6 January 1898, Page 2

The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE. Proprietor. THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1899.

The accident on the Helen'sville railway line by which the unfortunate fireman, John Barker, lost his life, and the evidence which was elicited from the railway officials at the inquest on his body, are not at all reassuring to the travelling public, All the officials seem by their evidence to look upon it as a matter of course that in warm weather the lines will buckle somewhere. As railways are run with safety in very much warinerclimates than this, the inference is that the rails are not laid in this country in a manner calculated to avert disaster from this cause, or that the inspection of the lines is too cursory or too infrequent. The same thing is reported as having occurred on the Paeroa-To Aroha section on Monday, and the derailing of an excursion train near Pahiatua recently is attributed to the same cause. Knowing the liability of accident during very hot weather, it must appear reasonable to most minds not clouded by railway routine that extra precautions should be taken. In the case of the Helensvillc line this w as evidently not the case. The platelayers went over the line on a jigger at the uaual time, that being before the heat of the day, their inspection was therefore valueless as a safeguard from accident, consequent on the buckling of the rails, the danger of all others which they and their superior officers knew required specially guarding against. There is another unpleasant fact brought out in the evidence, and that was "that the line was insufficiently ballasted. This is borne out by the Ranger and Mr Biss, the Resident Engineer. The former says that ho applied for ballast, and put it on another portion of the line than that upon which the accident occurred. Mr Biss says in his evidence in answer to a question, having previously stated that he was over the line two months back. " Would like to sec more ballast on the liue. The desirability of more ballast cm that portion of the line where

the accident occurred had bsen brought under his notice, and application hud been made for ballast. This was when he had passed over the lino. Since lie had token charge of that portion, some eight months since, his own personal inspection iiad also shown him that more ballast was desirable. The application had been complied with and as much ballast as possible supplied. He be lieved excessive heat to be the cause of the line buckling. If the line had been fully ballasted it would not necessarily have prevented buckling. Had had previous experience of casc3 of line buckling. It was not an uncommon occurrence in hot weather. Had seen it occur on the line. The department took all po3siblo prccuitious to prevent such difficulties. It was customary to slightly shorten the rails to bring them into line after buckling. Considered the line in question as safe as any under his charge." It; will be noted that Mr Biss applied some eight months back for more ballast, and adds that as much as possible had been supplied ? The possible was evidently not sufficient, as the same defect existed at the time of the accident, and was probably a contributing cause. Eight months is a long time to elapse between a defect being reported and l«ft unrepaired. A straw indicates the direction of the wind, and the question naturally suggests itself, if the Helensville line was left in such a bad condition for so long a period what is the state of the other lines in the colony which have not been subjected to scrutiny consequent upon an accident. If such a state of affairs had been disclosed during the regime of the Commissioners, what a fine peg would have been afforded the Premier and his followers upon which to hang accusations of all descriptions. The necessity for borrowing £200,000 for the purchase of rolling stock, etc., is a clear indication that efficiency has been sacrificed for the creation of an imaginary surplus, and the accident on the Helensville line points in the same direction.