FENCING IN NAPIER RAILWAY.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XX, Issue 3906, 4 May 1877, Page 2

FENCING IN NAPIER RAILWAY.

(31.11, i UctVtt UIUUUUSI^ -WcllbeU tU SCB whether the authorities intended taking any steps towards having that portion of the railway line which passes through Napier fenced in : but seeing that, notwithstanding the visits to this place of the Minister of Public Works, nothing has been done, I do think it is high time that the public should take the matter in hand, and rouse the authorities to a sense of the duty they owe to the community in this particular direction. It may be urged that the fencing-in of the line would be an expensive undertaking ; still, in reply to that, I would say that it is better that the expense should be borne rather than permit the possibility of an accident by its being left in its present unprotected condition. One life has already been sacrificed, and who shall venture to say how soon another unfortunate may be rushed into eternity through the obtuse apathy of those in power I We are periodically informed of the splendid returns yielded by the Napier and Takapau railway, which would cause any thinking person to exclaim, "Well, if the Government are doing so handsomely out of this line, they certainly ought not to begrudge a portion of said profits towards preventing accident and death, which will surely take place if the line is permitted to remain in its present state." Therefore, I again beg to urge the Minister of Public Works to take this matter into his serious consideration ; firstly, as a means to prevent results that must inevitably take place if the suggestion contained hei'ein is not carried into effect, and secondly, if the work was commenced now it would be the means of affording employment to a number of men who are now out of work and wandering through the country in a miserable state of impecuniosity, often without shelter and not knowing where to obtain a meal's victuals. " The powers that be " have frequently had the necessity of fencing-in the railway line brought under their notice, and as frequently have they turned a deaf ear to such suggestions, consequently any accidents or deaths that may occur they are clearly responsible for, and they ought to be made to suffer for the cool indifference they exhibit towards the welfare of the inhabitants. Ido not wish to speak disparagingly of the present Minister of Public Works. On the contrary, I feel if the matter was properly represented to that gentleman by the leading men of the community, that immediate steps would be taken for the carrying out of this essentially necessary work. Therefore, perhaps, it would be wise for his Worship the Mayor to call a public meeting and ascertain the feelings of the people upon this point. This once done I have no doubt the line would soon be fenced in and employment found for the unemployed population. — I am, &c, Scrutator. Napier, May 3, 187 T.