MAIN TRUNK DISASTER

Grey River Argus, 24 July 1923, Page 5

MAIN TRUNK DISASTER

Inquiry CoiiKiucd (Per Press Associutiou.) A.UCKLAND, Jmy 13. inquiry ’. ! o M:’ : ; , L run’; :mter continues at Auckland. William Harding, stationmaslir, gave evidence Ih.-it he ex. mimed the train before it loft the Auckland station. Everything was in order. James J\facklcy, locomotive f ugineer ar Auckland, replying-to a question, said that he did not think the making of the ends of carriages solid wou’d minimise the effect; of such accidents. James Far.pilmr, a passenger, said that the wounded wore removed from the wreckage as expeditiously as possible. Everything was done to alleviate Several train examiners on Hie stations en route, >aid the train v. s in good order. FURTHER EVIDENCE. AUCKLAND. July 22. At the railway inquiry. IL R. Mackenzie (chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board) said that evervthing possible was done to forward the uninjured passengers after the accident. Henry Percy Hollson, guard on thftrain, said that the speed was between 20 and 25 miles an hour. There were sufficient tools to keep all going until the relief train arrived. When undamaged carriages were taken back to Ongarue, it was necessary to pump up the cylinders to release the brakes, showing that they were still holding three hours after the impact. He was going to suggest to the Department that the break-down tool set in the vansliould lie duplicated. The evidence of the enginedriver. Alox E. Stewart, was taken at his residence, as he was not fit to appear. He stated the brakes wore tested nt Parootarao, and were satisfactory. Tho train passed Ongarue at 25 miles an hour,. Then he shut off steam, and drifted along at about 20 miles an hour, but the speed might have increased <»'» 30 miles by the limo the engine Mruck the slip. Th? headlight was burning well. He.did not see anything- befor' running into the slip. He applied the brake immediately the engine opp aired to strike a heavy stone. He was tossed about. After travelling some distance, the engin-e was thrown into the bank. Witness was struck on the head and rendered unconscious. The door o! the smoke box must have been struck bv a large stone in passing. Th-? witness knew the line as well as the best, lie had been running on it for years He did not regard this part as dangerous. Tie kn-ew other places which wore more dangerous, and when coming to dangerous parts took extra precautions. Ho did not consider there was any necessity to do so hero. His impression was that the slip came down immediately before the train came along. Ho thought the vibration of the train had a great deal to do with the slip com ing down. The inquiry was adjourned to Mel lington sine die.