BOULDER ON LINE

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19648, 7 August 1935, Page 8

BOULDER ON LINE

RAIL CAR MISHAP, PROSECUTION OF YOUTH, COMMITTED TO SUPREME COURT. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) FEILDING, Aug. 6. On July 28 the petrol-driven railcar was travelling through Feilding with leading 'railway officials aboard when it .struck a large boulder on the line just before crossing the bridge over the Oroua river. The officials picked up the boulder which weighed 37 J pounds, and was larger than a football, and the police were notified. Sergeant Angland’s inquiries resulted in the arrest of lan Bruce Cossar, a miller, aged 19, and a boy of 15 who were charged with wilfully placing an ■obstruction on the line. Accused Cos•sar appeared before Mr R. M. Watson, S.M. this morning. Evidence • was given by Leonard Mardon, driver of the rail car, as to striking the boulder and retrieving it. The police evidence included statements by the accused persons. The younger accused will appear before the Juvenile Court later. The car driver’s evidence was that only slight damage was done to the wheel-guard of the rail car, but the obstruction could have caused a derailment. The police evidence covered a statement by Cossar that he and his companion had dropped the stone on the line with the object of breaking it, but when their attention was distracted by a rabbit they forgot the stone which was left between the rails. f Accused, through counsel, pleaded not guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. An application for the suppression of the name was not granted. Bail was allowed.