FATAL TRAM ACCIDENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 291, 6 December 1920, Page 5

FATAL TRAM ACCIDENT.

A TAKAPUNA SENSATION. MR. W. McMATH THE VICTIM. WELL-KNOWN AUCKLAND CRICKETER.

A distressing accident that, nad its eequel in the death at the Public Hoepital yesterday of the well-known and popular cricket enthusiast Mr. William McMath occurred the evening previous in Hurstmere Road, Takapuna, the wheels of the Takapuna steam tram engine and two cars passing over deceased's legs, completely eevering the right and all but cutting off the other.

Deceased, who was a grocer by occupation, having a business in Jervois Koad, Ponsonby, was at the time of the accident spending the week-end with his wife and family of three young children at The Strand, Takapuna. First-hand information of tile shocking circumstances that surrounded the accident were gleaned by Constable A. McCarthy, resident police officer at Talcapuna, who was communicated with at 9.10 p.m. on Saturday night, and proceeded with all haute to the spot. There he saw the deceased lying , on the footpath, minus the right leg and the left leg almost off. A tourniquet had already been applied to prevent hemorrhage. Without delay he had the injured man conveyed by motor car to Dr. Miller's surgery, -where he was attended to by Drs. Miller and Baldwin, and later taken to Devonport, and thence by ierry steamer to the city and to the Public Hospital, arriving at that institution about 11 p.m. All this time deceased retained consciousness.

After being attended tot at Dr. Miller's, Mr. McMath carried on a conversation with the constable. He said that at the time of the accident he 'was running along the tram line to a shop to obtain a copy of the Eight o'Chwk Edition of the "Auckland Star." He noticed the tram approaching, but did not have sufficient time to get off the line, the engine striking and knocking him down. Several witnesses, including the tram driver, Mr. William Bray, were interrogated by Constable McCarthy. Mr. Bray said that the tram arrived at Hall's Corner from Bayswater at 9.10 p.m., and when travelling along Hurstmere Road, just afterwards, he noticed a man about ten yards in front of the engine. He appeared to have walked from the footpath. Bray immediately applied the brakes and stopped the tram. Alighting from the vehicle he made a search, and found deceased lying across the water-table, the legs being across the tram rail.

Bertram George Bennet, a grocer carrying on business at Takapnna, who was a passenger by the tram, said that when the tram re-started from Hall's Corner the engine whistle was blown. The tram travelled at the usual pace— about twelve miles an hour—and when near Mr. Robins' tobacconist shop in Hurstmere Road the brakes were suddenly applied, and the tram stopped within about twenty yards. He alighted, and after being told by Bray that a man had been run over, verified the information before communicating with Dr. Baldwin.

Deceased was thirty-nine years of age. a native of the North of Ireland, and had been resident in the Ponsonby district for 18 years. For a number of years he was people's warden, and at the time of his death was a very active member of the veatry at All Saints' Church. Also he was a, member of the C.E.M.S., and a committeeman of the Leys Institute, his associations in this direction being with the Shakespeare and Debating Societies. Amongst the youth of the l'onsonbv district lie likewise did a great deal of work. That part of his career devoted to cricket is one that will always be associated with Auckland cricket, for there is in it all those attributes that go to make clean, healthy sport. On the field and likewise in the important matter of control and building up of the game he wae ever to the fore, for which Auckland as a great cricketing province owes the deceased a debt of gratitude. While for many years he was a member of the Ponson&y Cricket Club and took the field with his senior club mates at Eden Park on Saturday, he was known to all cricketers as "Mac." On several occasions his good, all-round cricket caught the eyes of Auckland selectors, and he represented the province. As a member of the Management Committee of the Auckland Cricket Association he performed most valuable work.

Feeling references to the cad event were made at both service at All Saints' Church yesterday, by the Rev. C. H. Grant-Cowen in the morning, and toy the vicar, the Rev. F. W. Young, iv the evening. Mendelssohn's "Funeral March" was played at both services, and the hymn, ">fow the Labourer's Task in O'er" wae eung. It was announced that a memorial gerviee would be held next Sunday. Reference to the fatality was also made at the Sunday-echool gathering in the afternoon by Mr. E. Smith, the superintendent. The Rev. Isaac Jolly syjnpathically referred to the .matter at St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church.

The deceased is survived Iby Mrs. McMath and family, the eldest of whom 'v s;k jearf old, and his twin brother, Mr. Archibald McMath, who is c resident of Auckland.

The funeral will leave Alf SaiiHChurch for Purewa Cemetery at 10 am to-morrow.

At a special meeting of the committee of the Ponsoriby Boys' Brass Baud reference was mvi? to the accident, members expressing regret at the sudden taking away of their popular chairman. It was resolved that a lett.fi- ,- of condolence be sent to Mr?. McMath on behalf of the commit/tee and boys, and it was decided that the band should play at the service to 'be held at Al! Saints' Church to-morrow morning MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY. A telegram was received to-day by Mr. M. J. Plynn, secretary of the Auckland Cricket Association, from Mr. R. Johnston, secretary of the Wellington Cricket Association, in these terms: "My committee and Wellington cricketers deeply shocked at news of untimely pud of William McMath. Kindly convey to relatives and associates the deepest sympathy of all in their s-ad bereavement."

Messages of condolence have also been sent to Mr 3. McMath from the Auckland Cricket Association and the Management Committee of the Auckland Association, and aleo from the Ponsonby Cricket Club.