SERIOUS RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2475, 22 May 1888, Page 2

SERIOUS RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

The 12.-10 train from Auckland for Waikato on Saturday met with a serious accident whilst running between Huntly and Taupiri. This occurred as night was falling, and between 5.15 and 5.40, when a bullock was run into. Driver Maning observed the beast about thirty yards ahead, blew the whistle and slowed down. The animal, however, was struck, and got under the cow-catcher, throwing the engine off the line, together with a truck attached, and breaking the rails. It happened very providentially that the mishap occurred in a safe place where the line after passing the gorge runs alongside tho main road on thu samo level. Had it occurred some twontyfive yards further ahead, or about the same distance behind, where there are steep embankments, the whole train would in all probability have been thrown over, causing groat destruction, and perhaps loss of life. Driver Maning and the fireman were both badly hurt by tho concussion, but we are glad to say not seriously. The passengers seeing there would be considerable delay before they could be taken on to their destinations, left the scene, some returning to Huntly, some walking on to Taupiri and Ngaruawahia, and others including, Messrs T. G. Sandes, L. Cussen and P. Miasen proceeding straight on to Hamilton. The line was not cleared and the train did not complete its journey to Hamilton till Sunday morning at 11 o'clock. This extraordinary delay was caused by an exhibition of red tapeisin almost incredible. Jacks and appliances were not procurable at tho stations near the sceno of accident, but although there are telegraph offices at each no intimation of it was sent to Inspector Penn at Hamilton, who could have been on the spot with all tho necessary labour and tools within a short space of time. He knew nothing of the accident until Mr Sandes woke him up at 5 o'clock on Sunday morning, and told him the circumstances. Ho then very promptly got his men together and ran down to Taupiri on a trolley, replaced the engine and truck, and tho train was in Hamilton within six hours of his first gaining knowledge of the facts. Had he been telegraphed to at onco, the stoppage of the train would not have extended over a few hours detention on the same Saturday night. But the remarkablo obtusoness of the telegraphist at Ngaruawahia rendered him blind to the exigency of the occasion, and ho resolutely refused to throw off the trammels of red-tape. Both Mr Sandes and Mr Lawrence Cussen remonstrated with hiin. The youthful official refused to transmit messages because they were presented after office hours. It is necessary that some explanation should be given why the railway officials failed to utilise tho wires at once to apprise Inspector Penn of the misfortune. It is evident that there has been some dereliction of duty in this affair.