LEVEL CROSSING SMASH

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1930, Page 8

LEVEL CROSSING SMASH

FATALITY AT STRATFORD TRAIN COLLIDES WITH LORRY. P. AND T. EMPLOYEE KILLED. The fast passenger train which left the Stratford station at 3.6 p.m. yesterday collided with a Post and Telegraph motor lorry at the Romeo Street level crossing about a quarter of a mile south of the centre of the town. The driver of the lorry, William Wells, received terrible head and body injuries and died on being admitted to the public hospital. Wells either did not see or hear the train <y did - so too late for him to stop. The lorry was thrown with terrific force against a heavy electric power pole and completely wrecked. The train stopped but later continued on its way south. Wells, who was the only occupant of the lorry, was immediately taken to the- hospital in a. motor truck by Mr. H. Dixon but died as soon as he was admitted. -He was a marrieff man and leaves a wife and six children. BREACHES OF BOROUGH BY-LAWS. COURT CASES AT STRATFORD.. Breaches of the by-laws were dealt with at the Stratford Court yesterday by Messrs W. Mclnnes and H. C. North, Justices of the Peace. / _ Eric Murphy pleaded guilty to attempting to cross the railway line in Regan Stredt on August 23 when t e line was not clear. Murphy said he saw the engine at the water tank and thought it was stationary. He saw the driver wave and thought it was a signal for him to cross. Instead of that the engine was just leaving. Murphy was fined 10s (costs 10s). Charged with the same offence Janies R. Kelly was fined £1 (10s). He drove a lorry over the Pembroke Road crossing when a train was approaching and ignored’ the compulsory stop sign, said Sergeant J. Power. For riding an unlighted cycle Norman Elan was fined 10s (12s). “People who ride cycles at night without lights are a menace to themselves and to other traffic,” said Mr. North. Violation of the borough by-laws in respect of driving cows, in Broadway South cost Joseph Gray £1 (10s). Assistant Borough Inspector H. Dixon said there was a stock route especially provided so that there was no need for stock to be driven along the main street. WRITING COMPETITIONS. Tn the British and Colonial Industries writing, competitions, seven pupils of the Convent School, Stratiwd, won prizes:— 4 Standard VI. —Nancy Howard, first prize, £1- Is; Sadie Mathers, 10s 6d; Kitty McDonald, fourth prize, 5s 6d. Standard lll.—Veronica Reeves, first prize, 10s 6d. I •Standard IL—Zita Schumacher, I first prize, 10s Od; Eileen Sullivan, third prize, 5s 6d. Standard I.—Maurice Ryan, third prize, 3s 6d. • i. ; ELTHAM SPRING SHOW ENTRIES. Good .entries have been received for the spring show of the Eltham Horticultural (Society to be held at the Eltham Town Hall to-day. Besides a large number from Eltham there are entries from Hawera, Manaia, Opunake, Kaponga, Stratford, Waitara, Tikorangi and even Auckland. Competition, therefore, should be very keen and a high standard, of exhibits, particularly in the daffodil section, is expected. A noteworthy feature is the large number of children’s entries. These total over 300, the Eltham school alone contributing 190. The' show will be open from 2.30 to 5 p.m. and from 7 to 9.30 p.m. PERSONAL ITEMS. The Rev. and Mrs. W. W. Avery, Birkenhead, are visiting Eltham in connection with the daffodil show. They are the guests of Mr. and Mrs. F. Ri Pepperell. 1 GENERAL ITEMS. For riding motor-cycles without lights two yopths w,ere dealt with at the 11tham Court yesterby. L. G. Orr, who rode a machine at Kaponga at 11 p.m. on September 3, was fined £1 and costs. J. Waller, who rode a' machine in London Street, Eltham, at 8 p.m., was fined £2 -and costs 12s. The prizes at the Eltham Band’s euchre party on Monday werq won by Mr. C. Adlam 1, Mr. S- Murray 2, Mrs. Guillosson 1, Mrs. F. Ward 2. Mrs. Paton and Mr. Biggs received consolation prized. : Entries for the spring flower show to be held in the Town Hall, Stratford, on Saturday, by the Horticultural Society close to-morrow with the secretary, Mr. Warwick Pettigrew. , PURANGI NEWS. A meeting was held in the Purangi hall on September 15 when an athletic and pastime club was formed. Mr. J. S. Fletcher was elected chairman and Mr. S. Gyde secretary. Messrs. C. Ammon and Rueben Kopu were, appointed boxing instructors. The membership fee was fixed at ss. A euchre and dance party was held on Friday. It was very well patronised. Miss I. Chapman, Matau, won the ladies’ prize and Mr. S. Crowliirst the men’s prize. The football club held its annual smoke concert on Saturday. The shield recently won. is hung in the hall. A meeting of settlers and ratepayers interested in the Ngatimaru metal ’oan proposals will be held on Friday afternoon.