OTIRA LINE SICK CASE

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 September 1917, Page 7

OTIRA LINE SICK CASE

(To the Editor.)

Sir.—Re alleged railway refusal to slop (lie express train at Ruin, kindly allow me to give yon tho actual fuels that, led lo tho statement made by "Our Own Correspondent." Whoever he is .1 don't. know, hut I trust that next lime lie rushes into print lie will pause and find out lli>! true facts before accusing our railway officials. The plain facts are t these : A lady was taken ill on Thursday morning at Ruru, and "Mr Nyberg on the 'phone requested permission of the Traffic Manager to send the lady down in" the succial limber train, which would stop 0.1)0111 t p.m. at Ruru. This request was refused and it was pointed out that the van fa, four-wheel bogey one) was not a suitable one for carrying sick or injured persons, as the jolting would be very severe. Mr Nyberg then asked that (lie express should stop at 5.30 ji.iTr.. and this was at once granted, and further eonfirmed in an interview between the husband of tho sufferer and the slalionmastcr. At that time instructions had been issued to stop the express. Now. sir. when those arrangements were, made and the promises given, if- was not known that a big slip had occurred at Avoca on the (Canterbury section, and that all trains on both sides of the hill would be held up indefinitely. On the news reaching Oreymoiith Traffic Office, the manager at once notified the stationmaslev at Moana. to send a messenger to Ruru station, about. l[ miles, to inform fTiem that the train was delayed indefinitely, and suggesting that the sick ladv be brought down to the ladies' waiting-room at Moana, where instructions had been given to have a lire lit. and the place warm and comfortable instead of waiting in an open! exposed shelter shed at Ruru. for a train that no one knew at what hour then would even leave Otira. As a matter of fact, it was not until 8.45 p.m. that the train reached Moana. where, the sufferer was Iving in a. warm, comfortable room, and was then transferred to thn van and taken on to Oreymoiith and? ta now back again at home, recovered and well. T am pleased to say. T should not have taken up the defence of the railway officials, but the correspondent refers to .mi- as the deputation in Wellington that, received promises of assistance from Ministers, etc, T have had more to do with eases of accidents and sickness on the line than a good many, and in twelve rears' experience have never found . the Vauway officials other than eager and willing to stop the express at any lias; slaiion in cases of urgency, sickness or accidents and if was this extraordinary statement that, has made me personallv inquire info this case and give Your readers the other side of the facts, and T should suggest, Mr Editor, that von make ennuiry at the local Tra.flic Office ■ ami verifv these statements for yourself, anil you will find that it is (lie correct «ide of the so-called "worst ''ase on record. Instead of blaming the. Department, Ihev should be thanked for the interest and trouble taken, and 1 think the ueneral public will look at, if in that aspect.— Yours etc. . <« NOEL PEAT. Moana, September 23rd.