THE RAILWAY FATALITY

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 11, 12 July 1912, Page 8

THE RAILWAY FATALITY

An inquest was held by Dr. M'Arthur thin morning concerning the death of William Robert Prior, who was decapitated on the railway lino at Thorndon recently. Edward Wagner, labourer, who had known Prior, said tho deceased was 29 years of age, single, and, as far as witness knew, was without relatives in this country. Dereased and witness had been together in the forenoon of the day of the accident, and they had parted near the Government Building*., Deceased had been drinking heavily for the five weeks previously, but was sober on the day of the accident. j Engine-driver George Pearce said that ao the fctain was comiug across tho Thorndon viaduct ho had noticed a man on the line about 200 yards ahead, and had thought 'him to be a permanent way inspector. With his attention on the signals and on the crossing ahead witness had failed to notice the man further until about a oar's length away. Deceased had then thrown himself across the line. The train was pulled up immediately, but the man was under the engine, {rightfully mangled. A verdict was returned that deceased was_ killed by being run over by a train, having thrown himself in front of it. •

The 57th Regiment ("Die Hards'"), now in India, has received orders to proceed to Aden, from which place it will afterwards go Home. A number of members of tho regiment are in New Zealand. While the City Council has been diHcussing the yueßtion of a revaluation of city properties the municipal rates department has been bt«.y preparing its semi-annual rate demands. This entails a large amount of work, but the full lilt sautt|d be ready by next tnofitb