THE RAILWAY DISASTER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9590, 6 September 1913, Page 5

THE RAILWAY DISASTER.

ENQUIRY OPEN TO PUBLIC AND PRESS. WHY THE FIRST EXPRESS STOPPED. (Bi Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) [Per Press Association.) Received September 6, 8.5 a.m. LONDON, Sept 5. Several newspapers protest against the Board of Trade insisting on a pri vate enquiry into the railway disaster at Aisgill. Received September 6, 9.5 a.m. LONDON, Sept. 5. The Board of Trade Enquiry has been resumed at Leeds and the public, and pr« 36 have been admitted. Nicholson, engine-driver of the first train, gave evidence that ho was losing time from Carlisle and making steam badly owing to the Gmailncsa of his coal supply. He added that drivers were frequently stopped from the same cause. Witness admitted that it wan dangerous to stop as he did. When he noticed the other train he tried to start, but the engine refused to budge. He had no difficulty in seeing the signal lights. Wit nets asked for a pilot engine at Carlisle, but thero wasn't one. Sir Arthur Douglas's condition is unchanged.

ANOTHER EXPRESS HELD UP. LONDON, Sept. 0. An express train was held up yesterday for twenty minutes owing to a goods train having stopped because ot shortage of steam. Tho hold-up waa near the scene of the disaster.

ATTEMPT TO WRECK FLYING SCOTCHMAN. The police are investigating an attempt to wreck tho "Flying Scotchman" express on Tuesday at Preston Pant by means of a large atone, which the cowcatcher fortunately thrust aside.

HE MUST KEEP SILENT

RAILWAY COMPANIES BLAMED

LONDON. Sept. 5

Mr Thomas, a Labour Commoner, has been permitted to attend the Aisgill enquiry if he keeps silent. Mr Paget, tho Midland Railway Company's superintendent, intimated that he did not intend to allow crossexamination of witnesses as at the Hawes enquiry. The railwayman implicated at Aisgill did not desire that Mr Thomas should represent them. Mr Thomas protested. In an interview he said the shortness of steam in both trains was caused through the use of inferior coal. The, public would insist on knowing why a cress-examination was not allowqd where the loss of fourteen lives was involved.

Mr Paget protests at this attempt to prejudice tho enquiry.