NEWS FROM THE PAST

A RAILWAY SCARE

Considerable amusement (says the “D. D. Gazette” of February 6) was caused in Toowoomba yesterday, when on the arrival of the Brisbane “Courier” a sensational heading accompanied by a four column block, announced that a railway carriage had been overturned in the Toowoomba railway yard.

Our Brisbane contemporary must be in difficult straits for “sensational” news when such a desperate effort is made to attract the attention of readers.

The turning of an empty car on to its side by reason of an error in the points, is not a sensational occurrence when shunting.

Had there been some fifty persons in the car, and forty-nine killed, there might have been reason for the “scare” heading and illustration, but when, as the “Courier” was forced to admit “not one pane of glass was broken,” the effort to attract attention is very evident, and the “scare” part too palpable.

The railway officials are rightly indignant at the attempt to “scare” the public.

A billy-goat cart had an upset in Margaret-street on the same day and the “Courier” missed another opportunity for a sensational outburst.

Truth, February 4, 1909