The Waiwera Collision. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2202, 14 May 1896, Page 12

The Waiwera Collision. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — To say that I was pleased when 1 read Mr Thomas Mackenzie's letter ia your Saturday's paper is not expressing my feelings, every word contained therein is correot to the best of my belief. And as one who appreciated the noble action of the driver aud guard of the good* train, I felt grieved on finding they had both beeri dismissed./ For what? "They had no advice of where to cross. Nor were they supposed to know of the excursion being on the road. If a testimonial is got up, I feel sure Tokomniriro pa^engers will nob be alow in contributing. — I am, &0., Milton, April 27. Wioliam Dairar. TO THB EDITOR. Sin.— ln Saturday's Times Mr T. Mackenzie, M.H.R., makes an appavl on behalf of the guatd and driver of the goods train, whioh was the cause of tbe late collision at Waiwera, and in doing so wants the publio to believe that -Guard Hughes and the driver deserve credit for saving the lives of the excursionists instead of dismissal from the service. Now, had Guard Hughes and Driver Wicgham done their duty there would have been no collision, and had lives been lost Guard Hughes and hie driver would have been the most culpable of the parties concerned in the blunder. Instead of meriting any credit, therefore, they may thank their lucky stars that they got off with bo light punishment as ditinUsal. Me Mackeuzie complains that there was no connection between Clinton and Waiwera at the time of the collision, and says " this in itself indicates the little attention given to details by the department." Surely he does not expect the department to connect every siding by telephone with the principal stations and keep a host of officials on night duty to attend to these telephones I Yet that is what his complaint; seems to imply. Mr Mackenzie would be one of the first, I think, to raise the cry of Oov<>rhment patronage and spoils to the victors if any such thing were attempted. The simple fact; is that the guard and driver of the gcods train that night violated every rule of the service relating to the safe running of trains. They knevr a special train was on the track, and had they joggt d the memory of either the stationnastet at Clinton or the clerk who was in charge at Balclutba the circular containing their special train advice Would have been given to them.*—* I am, &c., Balclutha, April 27. . % P. A. Joseph,