MOTORMAN'S APPEAL

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2213, 28 July 1914, Page 9

MOTORMAN'S APPEAL

• ' — -3. ' ( ■ ! . SEQUEL TO A TRAMWAY' ACCIDENT,. The Tramway Appeal Board met yesterday to boar the-appeal of Motormau Wni. VVilkie Bonnett against his reduction in status for sis months, as the 'outcome of a collision 'with.Courts' express, in Hopper -Street, on March-18 "last. . The board comprised Sir. W. G. K-iddell, S.M. (chairman), Mr.. J. R, Palmer (Town Clerk); and Mr. M. J. Wholan (representing tho union).. Mr. A, W. Blair appeared for the motorman, and Mr. J.O'Shea for tho City Council. ' > . "■' : Mr. Blair said that the accident occurred in the centre of Hopper Street. There , is a riso at tho top.of the street, ■ and the speed down this is limited to seven miles.. Bennett increased the epeed "to twelve miles an hour, which ivas absolutely necessary, to enable the time-table to be made up, as two expresses were ahead of him. Appellant sounded the gong and slowed: down. The _ first express pulled out, and the second followed. The' tram had passed the, latter about fourteen feet, when apparently a projection on tho side-step caught tho vehicle, , which must have pulled into it, and capsized' both express and horse. Tho emergencybrake had been applied, but apparently pot in time to avoid an accident. At an inquiry, Bennett had not heard a single witness, and was only asked whether he had anything fresh to say, as tho evidence was all against him. It was two and a half months boforo: the decision was made known. A direction in tho agreement between tho City Council and the men stipulated that an employee should be notified within twentyfour hours of the report, and that an . inquiry should be held within four days of the report. Counsel hold that the decision had been made on erroneous information. ' ■ '. ': Tho ovidence of the appellant was to tho effect that ho had been a motorman ■ for two years, and had now been reduced from the second to tho fourth' grade. Witness then described the accident. T. H. Hebbord, conductor of the car, gave corroborative -evidence. Mr. O'Slica submitted that the Tramway Department's regulations regarding tho time limits for reports, quoted by Mr. Blair, applied to reports upon ordinary departmental matters, and not in such cases: as this. ■ Tho # view of the department was that appellant had driven down tho Hopper Street incline at too great a speed, and had thus caused Iho accident. The council had had to pay the cost qf the damages to the express and its driver. • Edward L. Levy gavo evidence that the car had come down tho , incline at a speed of botween fourteen and seventeen miles an hour. Ho also stated that Hopper Street residents had been complaining about tho speed some cars namo down tho inclino. Albert B. Bhelborno, driver of tho. vehicle, and Mr. W. H. Morton also gave evidence for tho council. . Mr. Riddell announced that the board had decided that tho appeal must be dismissed. The board-.' recommended tho Tramway Board to make a reduction of two months, from, the penalty imposed upon appellant, if his conduct fras satisfactory.