SHUNTING CONDITIONS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 101, 26 October 1925, Page 5

SHUNTING CONDITIONS

BOARD OF INQUIRY'S FINDING

(BI TELEOIUr-n.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

PALMERSTON N., 24th Oct.

The Prime Minister has advised Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P., of file principal findings of the Shunting Board of Inquiry which recently sat at Palmerston North. They are:—

(1) The staffing of the Palmerston North yard was found to be satisfactory as far as the number of employees in tho shunting division is concerned, though the gangs of late have been reduced in efficiency owing to the transfer of senior men on promotion. Special attention is being given immediately to the matter of maintaining gangs at {heir full strength. (2) The board recommends, if possible, that some arrangements should be made for the grouping of loads for the various, districts at Wellington at Paekakariki to ease the position of Palmerston North. This matter is being gone into at once by the Transportation Board. (3) Some rearrangements of the staff in order to overcome friction is recommended. This also is being looked into. (4) An improvement of the lighting of the yard is recommended, particularly at tho ladder roads at the north and south ends. These lights are being provided immediately, and the matter of further lighting is being considered.

(5) With regard to the layout of the yard it is found that a congestion occurs at the busy periods, and additional sidings arc recommended. Plans and estimates of this work are being got out. (6) An improvement of the drainage of the yard is recommended. This is being taken in hand.

Other less important matters, such as painting points and levers white, filling the space between the sleepers at the double slip points have been dealt with, by tho board, and are being taken in hand by tho Department.

With regard to the death of Shunter Carmichael, the board finds that the foreman, De Rosa, was in no way responsible for the accident, and that the death of Carmichael was purely accidental, brought about by over-anxiousness to get through the work.