“DEATH TRAP”

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20951, 2 November 1939, Page 6

“DEATH TRAP”

RAILWAY CROSSING DANGER AT SEDDON ROAD MINISTER TO BE APPROACHED "It is an absolute disgrace that there is not an adequate warning device at the Seddon Road railway crossing, and something should be done about it before there is another fatality at the spot,” said Mr F. Findlay, at a meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council last night when th* area was being discussed. Mr W. R. Shattock asked if the Railways Department had replied to previous requests from the council to have suitable warning devices installed, as yet another serious accident had occurred at the crossing, this being the fourth in less than six months. The town clerk, Mr W. L. Waddel, stated that two letters had been sent to the Department but no reply had been received. Lowering Of Line? Mr C. Lafferty asked if the council had had any further advice from the Department regarding the scheme to build new railway stations at Hamilton and Claudelands and lower the line through the town as, if this scheme were going to be proceeded with immediately, there would not be the need for any elaborate warning device.

The Mayor, Mr H. D. Caro, stated that nothing further had been beard from the Department and the last advice the council had received was when the special committee met Mr G. H. Mackley, the General Manager of Railways, and his staff, in Hamilton some weeks ago. Mr Findlay stated that the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, had promised to eliminate all dangerous crossings in his scheme but this was one ol the worst in the district. He moved that the Minister be written to immediately with a request that something be done. Mr bhattock seconded tne motion.

"The crossing at present is a deathtrap and if nothing is going to be done soon about lowering the line the warning devices should be erected by the Department immediately,” said Mr Lafferty, and the motion was carried.

The meeting was presided over by the Mayor, Mr H. D. Caro, and also present were Messrs W. M. Cann, C. Croall, F. C. House, R. McCaw, H. M. Hammond, C. Lafferty, F. Findlay, J. R. Fow, T. G. Reynolds, W. W. Dillicar, J. E. Tidd, W. R. Shattock and the borough officers.