A Reminiscence.

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 1372903, 25 October 1917, Page 2

A Reminiscence.

THE LATE HARRY DOWNEY. (To the Editor.) Sir, —Your personal column, in Monday’s issue, contained the death notice of Mr Harry Downey, so well known on the “iron read.” Mention of his urine brings to my recollection a chance conversation I had with him re railway Shatters, on which 1. had alwavs found Harry a very reliable authority-. I happened to mention the opening of the last stage of the XapierPolmerston railway, viz., the Gorge section. I remarked that I was a passenger by the excursion train win n the line was formally opened for tratlie, and that I was considerably alarmed at the speed at which the train travelled when returning from Woodvillc, knowing as I did what might happen to that densely packed train should the engine or any of the carriages leave the rails. 1 can remember how relieved I was (I had two of my own lads with me for the day’s outing), when w - e reached the ascent to Ashhurst in safety. I asked Harry did he recollect the occasion? “Well, I should do so,’’ he replied, “for I was the leading engine driver.’’ There were two engines attached to the long excursion train. I nxt asked what was the speed? His reply fairly staggered me when he stated that it was considerably over thirty miles an hour. “In fact, nearer forty than thirty,”, he added. I asked him why the train was run so much faster than when going to Woodvillc. “Well,” said Harry, “you remember there was a bit of a shivoo at Woodvillc on the occasion, and a certain railway official (long since departed this life) made a suggestion to mo expressed in so many words, ‘You can shako her up, Harry, . going back.’ I did so,” said Harry I laconically, “and we got through in! safety, though it was rather a big risk, I admit. You remember,” he proceeded, “an engine ran off the line shortly afterwards, and now the speed stands at ten miles an hour through the Gorge. Oh, I could tell you a lot, but, wait till I leave the service, and we’ll have a long chat about railway matters that will make you rather astonished.” The opportunity never came, and Harry has passed in his last report. All the years that, I knew him, I never heard of his having met with any accident. By the way, Avas the cause of that engine leaving the rails in the middle of the Gorge ever satisfactorily demonstrated? A very lengthy investation subsequently took place, but I never learned the result. — I am, etc., ALEX. Me Ml XX, Auckland, 2.‘?rd October.