CONDUCTORS AND THE PUBLIC.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2606, 14 September 1909, Page 7

CONDUCTORS AND THE PUBLIC.

A tram conductor has been found guilty of manslaughter, in Auckland, because negligence, in the jury’s opinion was proved against him. He was .at the front of the car instead of the back, where he should'have'been at the particular time. A passenger rang for a step, and the motorman pulled up the car. The conductor glanced around on one side, and saw one passenger alight. He assumed that no others ■were getting opt, and signalled the motorman to re-start the car. Just at that moment three ladies were endeavoring to step on to the roadway; and a fatal accident happened. It was established in evidence, that if the conductor, even from his awkward position, had looked round carefully on both sides he would have noticed that more than one person was preparing to leave the oar. The lamentable incident has already provoked a member of the Christchurch Tramway Board to remade that in the city “some of the .conductors were not as careful as they might be in regard to the safety of pas.sengers,” and such a general statement brings the tactics of conductors, as a body, under review. Wellington had disagreeable experience of the hurryon” and “hurry-off” conductor three or four years ago, and it is sometimes complained nowadays that an impationt or thoughtless conductor gives Borne cause of alarm to travellers, especially those who may not be trained athletes. But it must be conceded to the guards that the blame is small beside the praise bestowed upon men whose ■duties are more arduous than they might appear to the casual assessor. Io prevent accidents of the kind tlia brought death to a passenger in Auckland, an experiment is being tried m some parts of the United States. Special mirrors have been fitted to the motorman’s end to give him a view of the events taking place behind his back. It has been found in America that even a very careful conductor may sometimes give a signal that may result in an accident. The mirror attachment may be worth a trial in New Zealand, but in the meantime Mr. Justice Edwards has very impressively, warned all conductors about the pains and penalties that may follow, neglect to exercise reasonable precautions for the protection of the public.— Best. DISCHARGED PRISONERS. Every reasonable opportunity should be allowed to one who has not given the most complete proof that he has adopted a downward course to become once more an honest citizen, in preference -to forcing him to adopt the life of a criminal. If a man with a tarnished reputation finds that despite his Insistent endeavors, he cannot obtain work, it is obvious that he must either -starve, steal, or commit suicide. -Tim Minister of Justice is inclined to adopt a humane course iin dealing with the habitues of the gaols of the colony, and we trust, now that prominent attention bas been directed to this matter, there will be no cause for complaint under this heading in future.—“Dannevirke Advocate.”