THE LATE PUNT ACCIDENT.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 636, 17 June 1876, Page 3

THE LATE PUNT ACCIDENT.

Sir, — As one of those present on the Punt, on Tuesday, when the scene narrated in your piper of Thursday took place, permit mo to call attention to the rleoimbility of having 1 some further provision made than at present exists for the safety of passengers. In tho fiihfc place it is not fie that horses and foot passengers should be confined to the same compartment. No one tell when a horse may take fright, as on Tuesday, and become the means of bringing about a frightful catastrophe. It is a mercy I hat there wero nci;her women or children on boiird the punt when tho accident happened on Tuesday afternoon. It needed bnt a slight n fitter to have turned the punt that day info a human shambles, and the screams of one or two frightened women would have boon quite sufficient to have wiought the excitement of the horses to a pitch whrnall lcshaint would have been insufficient to have prevented a general smash up of all and everything- on boaid. Again, I would point out the necessity that 'exists for some control being- exercised in the extent to wh.ch the pnnt may legally bo loaded. "When theio aic a number of vehicles, horsemen and foot passengers waiting to cioss the:e is a great temptation to cram it to the utmost. JJut, this can only be done afc seiious lisk to life and limb. I would ask, is it nobody's duty to see to this matter ? Is no one responsible for the due observance of caution? If public vehicles, vessels boats, &c, are only authorised to carry a certain number of passengers, why not a ferry bo restricted too? And if so, who is the responsib'e party to see to the matter, and why is it not seen to ? — I air, &c, One of the Esc wees. Hamilton, June 15th. I [There is but ono way to insure the safety and convenience of the travelling public, and that is by the erection of a bridge at this point of the river. The ' tiaffic is altogether beyond anything tint cun conveniontly and uafoly be served by a punt -Ed. W.T.]