MERCER SMASH

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20414, 26 November 1940, Page 8

MERCER SMASH

TRAIN DERAILMENT INQUIRY OPENED EXHAUSTIVE EVIDENCE DEPARTMENT’S WISHES (I’cr Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this clay. The exhaustive evidence to be. submitted to' the board of inquiry into the derailment of the Limited Express near Mercer on the morning of October 28, when the engine-driver and firemen. Were killed, was outlined today when the board commenced its sitting. Sir Francis Frazer presided, With-Professor S. E. Lamb and Mr. F. W. Furkeft- ■ Messrs. V. R. Meredith and I. Thomas , represented the Minister of Railways and the department, Messrs. G, P. Findlay, and A. E. Johnson watched the. interests of the Enginedrivers, Firemen’s and Cleaners’ Association,. . Mr. L. , Mcllvride, general secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants’ Association, appeared on. behalf Of bis union, Mr. P. G. Jlurkness, Hamilton, for the widow f the; fireman, and Mr, N. S. Johnson for the widow, of . the engine-driver. 11l addition, counsel were present for the various passengers injured. The chairman' said that the report -must be in. thd hands of the Minister before December 21. He added that through the courtesy of the Superintendent of Police in Auckland the board had been allowed to peruse passengers' statements and had made a selection' bf those which appeared to be useful as evidence. It proposed, however, to adjourn the sitting this afternoon' to enable counsel to have the same advantage. “My instructions from the Minister and flie. department ire to give all the assistance possible to' this board of inffplry,” said Mr. . Meredith. “Any ofkce rs of th'e. department may bo called if desired.” "AH Assistance Possible” He. detailed the technical evidence that would be given, adding that there was. unfortunately, only one eyewitness, a person who Wds walking along, the . line at the time. Various calculations as to the rolling stock, the condition of the permanent way, the stability of the type of locomotive concerned, . Its balance at various speeds, and the amount of cant that would be necessary on the tracks before it would overturn would be dealt with. “The department wishes it to be known to the public that any person who fCels he or she. can give useful evidence may be heard at the inquiry,” Mr; Meredith added. He conveyed the .thanks of the Minister and department to passengers on the express, who showed courage; and to those people in the Vicinity of the accident who rendered immediate aid. ... , “It is no part of our. instructions, to shield , any Officer of the department,” said Mr. Meredith.. “Our purpose is to present all the facts frankly find candidly so that, the board can arrive at a finding.that, if.possible, will prevent a recurrence of such disasters ” Travelling Schedule .. The first .witness, A, L. Smith, transportation manager for the Railway Department stationed at. Wellington, gave details of the timetables for the North.lsland main line and branches. To Mr. Finlay, the witness said that thete had been no alteration, in .the schedule of the. running time between Frankton Junction and Mercer since 1937. Over that length of line i! Would be locked upon as a “tight” schedule. If the drivers suggested that the travelling time from Wellington td Auckland should be extended by half an hour in order to insure greater safety, the witness Would say that there was no need for that. He thought that they were working within the. safqty limits. Td Mr. Oran,' appearing for an injured passenger,' the witness said that by the phrase ““tight schedule” he meant that there was not very much time if a train was running behind schedule without exceeding the specified speed limit.