A DASTARDLY ACT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3757, 16 March 1926, Page 81

A DASTARDLY ACT.

OBSTRUCTION ON LINE* ATTEMPT TO WRECK LIMITED, PALMERSTON NORTH, March 9. What appears to have been a dastardly attempt to wreck the north-bound Limited Express was made last night, when an obstruction consisting of beams from cattle stops was placed across the metals at the crossings at the Terrace End and Kelvin Grove, the former being a suburb of, and the latter three miles distant from, Palmerston North. In the case of Terrace End one beam had been wrenched from the stop and placed on the rails. It was shattered by the bogey wheels of the engine. At Kelvin Grove four beams were on the line, one of which was thrown clear, while the other three were smashed. On the second occasion the train stopped, but resumed its journey, and the incident was reported at Feilding. Gangers were immediately sent to the crossings concerned, and the police wero advised. This morning Senior Detective Quirke was investigating the matter, but the perpetrator or perpetrators are as yet unknown. No doubt the attempt was aimed particularly at the Limited, for at the Terrace End the Main Trunk and Napier lines are side by side, and the beams were placed only on the former. A train passed over the line half an hour before, when the latter was clear. It is believed not to have been the work of children. The beams at the cattle stops are pailed by cross pieces, but the wood had partly rotted, and it would not require great strength to wrench them frony their position.