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Ashburton Herald, Volume I, Issue 249, 17 January 1879, Page 2

It avas Not Going Then. — A Avag Avent to the station of one of the railroads one evening, and finding the best car full, said in a loav tone, “ Why this car isn’t going ?” Of course there Avas a general stampede, and the AA r ag took the best seat. In the midst of the indignation the Avag was asked, “ Why did you say this car wasn’t going V’ “ Well, it Avasn’t then,” replied he, “ but it is noAV. ”

Sparks prom the Railway. —Much damage has of done to growing crops adjoining the line of railway by sparks from the engine funnels igniting the standing corn. We clip the following paragraph on the subject from a contemporary : The responsibilities of the railway department •for injury done by sparks of fire from passing locomotives present themselves to the Commissioner for Railways from a peculiar standpoint (says the “ New Zealand Jurist”). A recent netice from the hand of that authority layr down the following proposition : —“ Notice is hereby given to all persons owning or occupying lands adjoining the railway baundaries, that the planting of gorse is very dangerous from the liability of such hedge to take and spread fire from engines. And all those who plant gorse on railway boundaries will be held responsible to make good the damages to the railway works, should fire be communicated thereby. ” Seeieg that the “ liability to take and spread fire from engines” applies to other things as well as to gorse hedges—e.g., haystacks and. weatherboard cottages —the Commissioner might as well have extended his notice so as to include the owners of haystacks and weatherboard cottages, and all other inflammable articles, on lands adjoining the railway boundaries. ”