FATAL TRAM ACCIDENT

Hawera Star, Volume L, 28 August 1930, Page 5

FATAL TRAM ACCIDENT

NOTED BANDMASTER KILLED. FORMER BESSES O’ THE BARN CONDUCTOR. (By Tel sgraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Aug. 27. Head injuries which caused death in a few minutes were received by Mr. Christopher Smith, conductor of the Auckland Municipal Band, when he was knocked down by a city-bound tramcar in Hobson Street- to-night. “1 saw Mr Smith crossing thu street and sounded the gong to warn him,” said Motorman J. Pollard. “He hesitated and then stepped forward on to the line. I applied all the brakes and although the car was pulled up almost immediately Smith had been struck and was underneath.” ! An examination showed that Mr Smith was lying lengthways under the car, the lower portion of his body being on tlie safety guard. He had to be lifted clear. An ambulance was called and was conveying the injured man to hospital when he died. The principal injury was a fracture of the base of the skull. The jaw and left arm were'also hurt. Passengers on the car said the car was not moving fast at the time and that the motorman pulled up with great promptitude after the gong was sounded. A bandsman of over 40 years’ experience. Mr Smith was appointed to iorganise the Municipal Band in July, 1024. He was selected from 28 applicants on account of his exceptional experience with famous hands and orchestras as player, trainer and conductor in England and Australia. He was for four years conductor of the famous Besses o’ the Barn Band. He leaves a widow and two adult eliild ren.