THE RAILWAY BRIDGE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXV, Issue 17, 21 January 1889, Page 2

THE RAILWAY BRIDGE.

Our jocular reference on Saturday to the removal of the gate-keeper at the Wairau bridge, was intended to direct special attention to the fact that the gate-keeper had been removed, not to set forth any opinion on the matter at all, but to-day we desire to express a very strong opinion that the action of the Department is most decidedly wrong. We have had numerous offers of letters on the subject but instead of inserting these, we deem it better to summarise all the protests m our leading columns. The economical spirit which has provoked this action on the part of the Department, may turn out after all to have over-reached itself, for it is possible to be "penny wise and pound foolish," and though a penny is being saved by the removal of the gate-keeper, an accident would involve the loss of the pound to the department. And that there is great danger of accident, now that there is no sort of protection for the public, seems to be beyond doubt. We understand that under the new system {he guard of the train will have to alight a few yards from the approach to the bridge and run ahead to see that the bridge is clear, — a most clumsy proceeding. We quite understand, however, that if the gateway is left always open it will be easy for an intoxicated horseman or a too confident driver to make a mistake, and, m hastening over the bridge, to be caught by an advancing engine. There is no doubt a great many people cross that bridge m a very unfit condition, and we have no hesitation m predicting that before long a fatal accident will occur, or m reminding the authorities that they take upon themselves serious and indefensible responsibility m removing the protection which they have hitherto afforded to the wayfaring public.