ALLEGED ATTEMPTED TRAIN WRECKING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3149, 22 July 1914, Page 3

ALLEGED ATTEMPTED TRAIN WRECKING.

ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. At Invercargill on the 13th a farmer from Ernest Dennicton M‘Kenzie, of Pornahaka, was charged with placing an obstruction on a railway line on June 13; with forging a request for delivery of goods; with, on June 6, delivering a telegraphic message in the name of another person, for transmission; with, on two occasions, unlawfully ordering liquor; and with procuring liquor while prohibited on two occasions. Sergeant Detective Cameron said that a fencing post was found bv a ganger lying on the side' of the railway line between Waipahi and Edievale, a quarter of a mile from the Pornahaka Railway Station, close to a gateway leading into the accused’s property. It was certain that the post had been placed on the rails. . It had been struck by an engine and fortunately knocked clear. Constable Lennon interviewed the accused, who said ho knew nothing about the affair. Later he was interviewed by the prosecutor. He then said that whilst going through his paddocks on horseback in search of lost sheep ho alighted and lifted the post from the place where it was embedded and fastened his bridle rein to it. .He then went into another paddock, and whilst away his horse bolted, dragging the log with it. The animal raced through the railway crossing, and was stopped at the bridge near Pornahaka Station.. Later he stated that the horse only pulled the log about a chain along the line from the gate, qr.d that he took a short out through the fences and caught the animal and freed it from the obstruction. He left the post near the line. Pie did not put it on the rails. The locality was examined, and it was discovered that there were footprints of a man and a horse leading from the crossing gate to whore the post was found and returning to the gate. These were clear and regular. Further, the obstruction weighed 881b.' It was unlikely that a light hack could have dragged such a weight by the bridle rein and retained regular steps all tlxe way. There was also an impression on the ground indicating that the log had been dumped down close to the side of the line, and that it had been carried there. The post did not bear any signs of having been di'agged. After evidence had been heard, accused, who reserved his defence, was committed for trial at the September sittings of the Supreme Court at Invercargill. Bail was allowed, himself in £2OO and one surety of £2OO. On the second charge he was also committed for trial, and was recpxired to enter into his own recognisance to appear on the day of his trial. The hearing of the third charge was deferred till Wednesday.