PANIC IN A TUNNEL.

Motueka Star, Volume XI, Issue 866, 28 January 1910, Page 3

PANIC IN A TUNNEL.

RACE TRAIN HELD UP

PASSENGERS RUN FOR THEIR LIVES. DRIVERS AND FIREMEN PROSTRATED. Ah exciting scene was witnessed on the Rimutaka range on Saturday last (says the New Zealand Times). The early- race train from Wairarapa was crowded with passengers, and the long line of carriages put a severe tax upon the engine power. The big Fell engines fought their way slowly up the incline belching fire and smoke, but when they got into the second tunnel, where the giadient is 1 in 15, they stopped dead and could make no headway. After an ineffectual strugV g|e the train was backed into the opegh again and an attempt made to get up enough steam to carry the carriages through the tunnel. After another tremendous struggle, the great engines came to a standstill. They tried again and again their burden without result.

Meanwhile the passengers in the over heated carriages were subjected to a terrible ordeal. The pressure created by the engines caused the windows to rattle ominously, and the carriages were permeated by a horrid stench of sulphurous smoke. The cry went up that they would all be suffocated, and a number of people opened the doors and rushed choking to the nearest exit from the tunnel.

Eventually the train was again backed out, when it was found that some of the drivers and firemen were completely prostrated. They were taken from the engines and laid along side the line until they had recovered The train was then uncoupled and divided in two halves, one remaining on the incline while the other proceeded to the summit. A delay of an hour was occasioned" to the racegoers and to the other trains proceeding along the line.

A Wellington correspondent of the Lyttelton Times says that it is currently reported in official circles that the Prime Minister has received advice of a private nature indicating that Lord Plunket’s successor as Governor of the Dominion of New Zealand is to be a naval officer of distinguished rank, whose opinions in matters of defence are highly esteemed by the Home Government. The Havelock Harbour Board has decided ihat all launches be charged a harbour improvement rate of 10s 6d per annum, and that, in addition, launches plying for hire be charged a license-fee of 21s per annum. Mr John Jones, Mayor of Wanganui East, is nothing if not original, says the Chronicle. On Saturday, at the opening of the School Baths, after lamenting his inability to swim, he created quite a sensation by diving, clothed as he was, into the water, at the same time exclaiming-that the baths were open. Another wellknown councillor, in swimming apparel, was waiting patiently but expectantly behind some people for the magic words declaring the baths open. Although. like everyone else, taken completely by surprise, he was a good second. Dr W A Chappie, who sat for Tnapeka in the last New Zealand Parliament, and who unsuccessfully contested the seat against Mr Scott at the last general election, was elected member for Stirlingshire in the election now proceeding in the Old Country. As a canvasser of the Pok< roro district for a testimonial to Mr H L Moffatt, late Harbourmaster and Wharfinger at Motueka, Mr J A Haycock reports being well received. Be says the people generally seemed pleased to have an opportunity of expressing their sympathy with the movement and of contributing thereto

As evidence of the estimation in which sport is held in New Zealand, the Feilding Star quoted a case Trom a recent proficiency examination held in a school in the Feilding district A class was asked to write a sentence including the word “reverence.” This was one attempt : “When the victor ious team arrived at the railway station they were received with reverence.”