THE RAILWAY EMULATIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11506, 19 August 1899, Page 5

THE RAILWAY EMULATIONS.

NO EXCESSIVE ZEAL PERMITTED

(Pek United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, August 18. Mr Owen, {lie locomotive foreman involved in the Stevenson case, states that he has been removed ,to Wnnganui, with a loss of £50 a year' salary and a reduction, of rank. In excess of zeal, he took out the engine himself, instead of waiting for the driver, when the Onehunga, train was derailed. He ,is an experienced driver. ■■ ■ AUCKLAND, August 18: (From Otju Own Cop.hksi'oxdekt.) It appears that on Sunday afternoon, 16th July, the Onehunga, train broke down at Tepapapa, and it was necessary to send an engine out to its assistance. Prompt action "was required, as a train hod to leave Onehunga, at half-past 5, and it was then after 4 • o'clock. , Mr Oweri,. locomotive foreman, an. experienced driver, instead of waiting toi send for a driver, undertook to run the engine himself. Mr Stevenson, the stationmaster, promptly obtained an authority from the traffic department, and. . despatched the engine, which reached the ; Sp'pt without mishap. It appears, v however, that the authority issued bore the words "All clear," which requires, under the regulations, telegraphic notice to the next stationmaster and a reply before a ■train is allowed to depart. There is another regulation indicated by the term "Clear of ali :itrains," which does not require this notice, and Mr Stevenson was in the habit of despatching light engines daily along the lines without reference to tho traffic department. The special regulation for Sunday • involved in the term "All clear" did not impress itself upon him in the hurry" of sending the train away. As a matter of fact he knew that the line was clear, and could not be otherwise; also did Mr Owen, who was driving, and without whose authority no other engine could bo sent from Auckland. Subsequently Mi- Stevenson observed that a technical breach of the regulations had taken place, and reported the matter himself. Greatly to his surprise, and to that of other officers of the railway service, knowing .is they do that similar errors have been viewed with a small fine or a reprimand, the authorities at Wellington disrated Stevenson from first class to a second class station by directing his transfer ' from Auckland to the Bluff, a move which not only involves considerable reduction in pay, but practically loss of 10 years' service in order of promotion. This, remarks the Star, was for one slight error, which did not involve any risk, after 26 rears' unblemished sfrvice. Mr Owen has also been penalised with extraordinary severity, nnd all through excess of seal in taking the engine out himself instead of waiting one hour for a driver. These penalties "appear to be harsh in the extreme, and can only be accounted for as a sort of panic measure resulting from the Raka.ii commission. Mr Stevenson's retirement will lie regretted by the business men of Auckland, to whom ho has always boon courteous and obliging. Some action will bo taken by leading' business firms to secure a reconsideration of his