Obvious Dangers.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 29, 17 July 1902, Page 18

Obvious Dangers.

We have observed, however, that from a comparative table whioh has been published New Zealand stands unenviably at the head of the list for frequency of railway accidents and the number of passengers injured. It is true that the actual number is small. And perhaps it is not fair to compare the proportionate numbers in New Zealand with results where traffic is congested about the European commercial centres. But an impression is gaining ground that the rolling-stock is becoming much too heavy for the rails that hare to carry it. We are not unaware that the formula of railway engineers provide in the fullest manner for all possible contingencies. Every bridge, every culvert, even every rail is calculated to withstand a certain strain, stationary and in vibration. But the tests are not applied every day. And when some accident ooours, the engineers point confidently to their tables and profess to regard the misadventure as unavoidable. Per contra, it must be stated to the credit of the account that most of the New Zealand railways run through diffioult and rough country, which produces ' slips ' and other aooidenta which are outside, or almost outside, ordinary caloulationß. These drawbaoks are incidental to development. By and bye all the alipß that can possibly impede the lines will have fallen, and the soothing hand of nature will have softened the rugosities made by bustling man. Nevertheless, it would be well were the public mind assured that seventy-ton engines and fourteenton truoks oan travel safely over the lines at the increased speed now demanded, and the department will be wise in its own interests if it submits to a public instead of a departmental inquiry the next time there is a big accident.