RAILWAY CROSSING

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 30, 4 August 1923, Page 8

RAILWAY CROSSING

AND OTHER ACCIDENTS

POSITION OF ENGINE-DRIVERS.

Two letters of importance have been forwarded by the Secretary of the Executive Council of tho New Zealand Locomotive Engineers, Firemen, and Cleaners' Association to the Minister of Eailways.

The first concerns level crossings, and is as follows:—"I am directed by resolution of the Executive Council to ask you to take action in every case where the bylaws of the railway concerning level crossings have not been observed and have been reported to the Department by the locomotive engineers. It is also asked that the. penalty for a breach of the bylaws should be more severe, and it is suggested that, where a driver of a vehicle has been found guilty of the offence, he should not be allowed to drive a vehicle in a public place in future. I have to point out that in many cases when a charge has been proved in a Court of law, the punishment is generally a fine of a small sum, after the Department has gone to much expense in bringing witnesses to prove the charge. ■The men on the engines have reported to their Executive Council that flagrant breaches are committed daily by drivers of motor-cars and lorries, and in many cases when a driver just gets past the front of the engine the occupants of the cars turn round and laugh; this in itself proves that the driver is not a fit and proper person to be in charge of a motor-car or other vehicle. Trusting you will have this matter, in the interests of the locomotive men and the publlc > given your closest attention." The second letter, referring to the effect on drivers of accidents, states:—"By direction of the Executive Council I Have to make a request for leave of absence for at least two months on full pay for all locomotive men who have nad the _ nerve-wracking experience of running into slips and washouts on the railway In support hi the request, it is pointed out that 'many locomotive F ff f + 8US h exPeriences have had to ?L duty..for some considerable time, and eventually had to take a less re ■ponsible position; this has been the case particularly where there has been a loss of lives through the collision. 4Z vh h Sfi Se that the small rate of pay 3& me« n reoeive does nofc Xw them to lay off for any time, if they can : possibly avoid it, without theirVav land in some cases men resume duty with S&Sfirs Krafts