SHUNTING INQUIRY

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 270, 20 August 1925, Page 10

SHUNTING INQUIRY

BOARD OPENS SITTINGS CONDITIONS IN PALMERSTON YARD By Telegraph—Press Association. Palmerston North, August 19. The Railway Board, set up to investigate the shunting conditions at Palmerston North and elsewhere, commenced its sitting this morning. The board consists of Mr. J. Brown, District Traffic Manager, Wanganui (chairman) ; Air. H. L. S. Smith, Assistant Railway Engineer, Auckland; Mr. J. E. Perry, shunter, Dunedin; and Mr. S. Schofield, shunter, Christchurch, representing the A S.R.S Mr. M. J. Mack, secretary of the A.S.R.S., is advocate representing the men. Mr. \V. J. Robertson, coaching foreman, Palmerston North, represents the local foremen, in regard to whose competency certain allegations were made at the Coronial inquiry into the death of the late Shunter Carmichael, who died of injuries received in an accident in the local yard. The order of reference . reads: “The board is set up to inquire into and report regarding the conditions of work of shunters in the Railway Department, as affecting the hazard involved in the performance of then duties, having regard more particularly to the following factors:—(l) The length of shifts shunters are required to work ; (2) the numbers of employees composing the shunting gangs; (3) the time allowed for the work of making up trains; (4) the supervision afforded on shunters’ work; (5) the general control of work in shunting yards; (6) the lighting of shunting yards; (7) the lay-outs and proposed lay-out of shunting yards; (8) the drainage of shunting yards; (9) the matter of employees inexperienced in shunting work being employed thereon ; (10) generally, other matters which affect the conditions of the work of shunters bearing on the risks involved in their employment. Mr. Mack, at the outset, said he understood the chief duties of the board were to inquire into the death of Shunter Carmichael, and ascertain whether shunting, always a dangerous occupation, could not be made safer than .t at present appeared at Palmerston North. He understood that certain allegations had been made against certain local officials, who to a degree would be on their trial. He deemed it only fair that they should be represented by an advocate. He proceeded to detail the evidence he proposed to call. The chairman explained that Air. Robertson was representing the officials, against whom certain allegations had been made. Watkin William Roberts, the first witness, said he had nine years’ service in the Department. He came to Palmerston sixteen months ago as shunter, although he had had no previous experience as such in a yard. After describing the accident, which had happened to Carmichael, witness said the conditions in the shunting yard were not congenial to the men. Carmichael and the foreman nagged one another, and the nagging upset Carmichael, who was always discussing the attitude of the foreman. Carmichael was nervous and highly strung above the average. The drainage of the yard was not all that could be desired, and there was not a plentiful supply of good hand-lamps. The lighting of the yard could be considerably improved. Owing to the condition of the yard, witness had asked

to be reduced to tablet porter, rather than take the risks of a shunter. In reply to the chairman witness denied that there was shunting experience at tablet stations. To Air. Robertson witness said that other men who had come after him had made good as shunters. Witness, detailing; what he deemed a proper course of instruction in shunting at Palmerston North, stated that before one was placed in a responsible position a second man should be certified as efficient. Such a system would give all a chance to become proficient. Alalcolm Firth-, a shunter, who was on duty at the time of the accident, said the cause of the fatality was a slack tail rope catching the points lever. He detailed the attitude of the foremen in terms similar to the previous witness. Air. Alack: Do you think the harassing methods of the foremen caused him to take unnecessary risks? Witness: Yes. Do you think that harassing by De Rosa was directly or indirectly con-

tributory to the accident ?—“That is a hard question, but all the same I think it did. Carmichael was excited at times when trying to get work done. His anixety in that respect made him do things that in other circumstances he would not have done. Ernest Lepper, who at the time of the tragedy was acting as brakeman, stated that he had been over five years in the Palmerston North vards and practically all that time on shunting. He corroborated the statement as to harassing and overbearing methods by foremen Sweeney and De Rosa. The supply of hand lamps was bad and the drainage of the yards also. Better lighting of the yard' was required and would eliminate much of the risk of night work. Pj- H. Bett expressed satisfaction with the attention received by deceased, whose case was hopeless from the first. Steps should be taken to have railway stretchers made to fit the ambulance. William White, fireman on the engine, also gave evidence as to the cause of the accident and disabilities of the yard. Percy Edward Tapp stated that he had years’ experience in the Palmerston North yards, and was practically head shunter. Deceased was of a nervous disposition, and easily excited. The foreman, De Rosa, had said that he had better keep an eye on Carmichael, otherwise the latter would be killed. Witness himself had had trouble with Sweeney and differences with De Rosa. Occasionally also there were “flutters” between the foremen themselves. After enumerating deficiencies in respect of the drainage and lighting of the yards, witness said that trains were not reasonably marshalled, nor were trucks even grouped. There was mot sufficient room for efficient' work in the yards. In reply to the chairman, witness said that the supervision of the vards could be impioved. Shifts should'not exceed eight hours. The present system of instruction of shunters could be much improved. A man in charge of a gang had no time to teach them. To Mr. Smith, witness stated that the yards often suffered inconvenience through the promotion and transfer of men acquainted with local working conditions.

Edmond O’Dea, now a shunter after seven years as tablet porter, deposed that he was not instructed in the work. Foremen could give shunters a little more assistance than they did. The inquiry was adjourned till to-mor-row morning.