SANDY'S CORNER

Wanganui Chronicle, 11 September 1950, Page 4

SANDY'S CORNER

“BULLY" LET LOOSE. With a snort that was probably heard at Upokongaro, "Puffing BiUy,” the steam locomotive that drew the trams during a period when electric power failed, came to life down in the tramway sheds yesterday morning. It was a breathless moment for Wanganui's Junior Chamber of Commerce. "I hope somebody knows how to stop the darned thing,” now that we’ve got it started," said one of the boys, who had been inside the engine’s boiler and had received his share of spiders, cobwebs, dead insects, rust and dust that came out of his tubes when they were blown through with steam. Fortunately, there was somebody there who knew which handle to turn and which brake to pull, before "Billy” got out of hand. He must now obtain a "warrant of fitness” for the event of the week, when New Zealand’s racehorse owning Minister of Works comes along to see the new buses in action and the trams side-tracked. "Puffing Billy,” we hope, will be well handled that day. It would be like him to be temperamental—perhaps refuse to stop when told, or refuse to go when wanted. The Junior Chamber of Commerce could obtain the assistance of the library if "Billy" gets away. Steele Rudd, in one of his “Own Selection" books, wrote of the day that Dad and Dave took over a traction engine. They got it started, but they couldn't get it stopped. Dad stayed gamely at the wheel, while Dave, with numerous a logs thrown under the wheels, ran alongside and cursed. Dad, wi.h grim determination, steered straight for the dam and drove the engine into the water, getting off in time to avoid being drowned himself. We suggest that the Junior Chamber practice for just such an emergency. If “Billy” refuses to travel himself, tow hiamwith a bus, but if he gets away, give him his head to Castlecliff and steer him out to sea!