NATIONAL CANDIDATE FOR DUNEDIN SEAT

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22436, 24 June 1938, Page 12

NATIONAL CANDIDATE FOR DUNEDIN SEAT

, (P&B9S ASSOCIATION TELIQEAM.) DUNEDIN, June 23. Subject to the endorsement of the executive of the National Party, Mr W. J. Meade has been selected to contest the Dunedin Central seat against the sitting member, Mr Peter Neilson. f9r obstructions in that locality—l considered I. was in my rights. , hYoU had not seen the speed board?— I was under the impression that it was further on. Questioned further about the service application of the brakes made before the derailment, witness, in answer to ttye chairman (Sir Francis Frazer), said the locomotive responded readily. The rgils were not greasy. Application .of Brakes The chairman: Do you still think, that keeping the brakes oh fbr four' seconds was a good guess, if it takes 12 seconds with a four or five pound application to reduce speed from 37 to 25 miles an hour?

Witness said he could not say the exact pressure of the application. He did not refer to the Westinghouse birake gauge in the cab. He agreed with P. A. Angus, the locomotive superintendent, that a 41b to 51b application would give a retardation of a mile an hour a second, in which case his estimate of the brakes being on for four seconds would be extended to 12 seconds.

Witness said he might have made a heavier application, but no more than 101b, in which case the rate of retardation would be even greater. Witness added that he usually judged the speed by the beat of the locomotive, and by checking passing objects. The chairman: Would you say that you would judge the speed as accurately when running down the Patana straight in a fog?— All I would have to help me would be the clanl* of the side-rods. In these circumstances, can you be certain of your estimate of 40 miles an hour?— Yes. I still feel reasonably certain of that, because there was not much fog at Ratana. My estimate of 37 or 38 miles an hour beyond Ratana was based on the knowledge that the locomotive should retard slightly when I shut off steam. Re-examined by Mr G. G. G. Watson, witness agreed that a speed recorder in the cab would be a help in similar circumstances. Mr Watson: Until to-day, you have not been asked for how long the brakes were applied?— That is correct. You have no doubt that the speed was effectively reduced to 25 miles an hour?—No doubt at all. Did you consider there was the slightest danger to the passengers, the train, or yourself when travelling at 46 miles an-'hour, or when you reduced to 37 or 38 miles an hour after nassine through Patana? —No.

At the time you made statements to Detective Murray, you knew nothing of the inquiry being set up?— That is correct, It tvas over three weeks before I -was allowed to see a newspaper.