HUNTERVILLE INCIDENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 295, 7 April 1921, Page 5

HUNTERVILLE INCIDENT.

THE NARROWLY AVERTED HAILWAY ACCIDENT. \ question regarding the narrowly averted railway disaster at Hunterville was Psked'in the House last session by Mr \V. 11. Field (Otaki). Mr Field's question was whether the only action taken b.v the Railway Department with respect to the incident was tho dismissal of the enginedriver, and, if not, what steps had been taken' to prevent tho recurrence of such awful risks in the future. . Thcf Rfc Hon. W. F. Massey (Minister ot Railways) yesterday issued the following replf:*—The eiiginc-drivor and fireman who disregarded the danger signal have been dismissed, and the guard of tho tram has br,on suitably dealt with. The Mam Trunk railway sjvstem is equipped with the best known appliances for ensuring safety, and tho instructions regarding tho working ot tfoisc are definite on fill pointy, more _ especially' '" regard to obedience to signals ynd'tiblet-working Tho Hunterville incident 'was indirectly due to the failure of tlfe trainmen to carry out the rule, Hie driver admitted'that he went to sloop, and Iho fireman failed to take any action to direct- attention to tho signal and have the train brought to a stand. The equipment of the line with efficient safety appliances meets! nil practical requirements as far as is humarllV possible, and beyond thw no ; steps of practical value can be taken.