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Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 136, 11 June 1936, Page 6

A nerve-wracking experience—fortunately without serious consequences — befell a Napier motorist last week. When about to negotiate the level crossing at Sale Street ho was dismayed to find the outward-bound Na-pier-Wellington express bearing down upon him, and, in an endeavour to avoid a crash, swung his car away from the train. .The wheels on one side of the car apparently caught in the rails, however, with the result that the vehicle continued for a short distance along the track. The prompt action of the engine crew, who, were quick to see the motorist’s predicament, enabled the train to be stopped just as the cowcatcher gave the car a gentle push in the rear. Following an episode on May 9, when a pumpkin was dropped from an overhead bridge on the railway line between Paerata and Karaka on to the Rotorua-Auckland express, two boys appeared in the Children’s Court at Pukekohe, charged with throwing rubbish at a railway train. At the time of the incident, the express was travelling at a speed of about fifty miles an hour. The pumpkin, missed the top of a carriage and was catapulted through the front-door window The plate-glass window was broken and a passenger in the carriage had his face cut by flying glass. The boys were admonished by the Magistrate and discharged.