DANGEROUS CROSSINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 164, 11 July 1914, Page 11

DANGEROUS CROSSINGS.

I IMMEDIATE STEPS URGED. GOVERNMENT'S DUTY TO PUBLIC. (By Telegrnph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Fridar. A furthpr appeal was made to the Minister of Railways by Mr. Myers this afternoon to take immediate steps to equip railway level crossings with automatic devices for the safety of the public. Replying to a question on the subject by tlip member for Auckland East, the Minister stated earlier in the week that satisfactory test-* jhail 'b"en made with a device. Mr. Myers, referring to this statement, contended that no time should be lost in equipping every danger place throughout the. Dominion immediately, no matter what the cost. ]f it were a private company concerned there would be no hesitation on the part of the Government to insist upon the carrying out by the company of its obligation to the public, contended Mr. Myers, adding: Purely then the Government, which has a monopoly of the railway services, should not be beJiiud in recognising its duty, especially in view of the preat lose of life that ha* already occurred. An dent might occur to-morrow, and, as the policy of the Railway Department has always been to protect the safety of the traVellimr public. 1 trust the Minister will see his way to give immediate effect to my su-nrestion and have the device, which he says is satisfactory, installed wherever then , is a possibility of accidents. Mr. Peane pointed out that the Local Bodies C onference ihad discovered, in reference to the crossing regulations, that motor-cars are to stop half a mile from a crossing under pain of a £.'■> line for failure. "Why." he declared, "they could not see the crossing from that distance. There is no doubt that it is a matter which will need alteration. I hope, also, that the Minister will hurry up and fix up some of these crossings, not only with notice boards, but also at the dangerous crossing, something in the shape of a siirnal hell, which should ring at the crossing it.-elf.' .

OXSLOW ROAD CROSfEsG. Mr. Bradncy tas jriven notice of a question, asking the Minister of Railways -whether he ■will take steps to improve the Onslow ,Roa<l railway crossing in th<> Mount Albert district, in view of the numerous se-rious accidents at the crossing. The croesinjr. lie ad«l<s. is one of the most danjreirous in the '.Dominion.