MAIN TRUNK SMASH

Manawatu Times, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 12804, 30 May 1914, Page 8

MAIN TRUNK SMASH

WHY THERE WAS DELAY. ; Press Association. —By Telegraph. J \V A Xi; AX I' I; -May A mong tin 1 passengers by the Main I Trunk express wliieli met witli disuster cm Wednesday morning was 1 red Cunningham, Wiseman and Sons Wanganui representative. Seen by a Herald representative to-day he said the passengers' stories told to Auckland pressmen had not in all eases given eredit to the right person, though this .was not to be wondered at considering the darkness and contusion. The man deserving of credit-tor preventing an explosion ol gas was Mr James Borne, farmer. W aimate. South Canterbury, for while the otners smashed windows to let the gas out. this was done at Mr Home's instance, and but for him possibly no one else would have thought oi it. Most o1 the passengers were unable to see in the darkness, and room for working being limited, returned to their seats to wait till daylight, but a lew who were able to do good stuck like I rojans to the work of rescue. The only one of them he knew was Arthur K. Johnson, a Rutland Hotel employee, Wanganui, who, covered with grime and blood, worked heroically getting the injured out. In addition to the Maori nurse already mentioned there was also a white nurse whose name he did not know, and both these women were untiring in their attentions to the injured. Regarding the delay in sending on the engine of the goods train for help, Mr Cunningham said it was due to the fact that the tablet which had been picked up by the express engine could not be found, and without it the train officials could not go on. It was finally found about 8 o'clock and then the engine was despatched.

CLEARING THE WRECKAGE. AUCKLAND, May 2S. The collection and disposal of the wreckage was continued yesterday. The main line had been cleared on Wednesday afternoon, but the siding will not be available for use before this afternoon. A full estimate of the damage to the rolling stock was made to-day. The locomotive of the express train remains on its side in the swampy land on the eastern side of the embankment, just as it fell. Examination showed that only a few steam pipes have been broken, and when these and some other minor damages have been repaired the engine will be available for use again. Eight waggons of the goods train were destroyed by. the collision. They were two cattle trucks and four sheep waggons, one covered goods van, and one open goods truck. All of these will have to be rebuilt, as only various parts are of any practical value. Repairs will be required in the ease of several other waggons. The sleeper car and the postal van will also require reconstruction, as both, the under frame and the bodies were greatly damaged by telescoping. Both vehicles have been repaired so that they can be hauled to the repair shops. Twenty-four men were employed at Whangamarino to-day. The Huntly correspondent of the Herald telegraphs: —"In clearing away the wreckage all that is useful in the way of wheels, iron and other material is being loaded into trucks, to be removed to the Newmarket railway workshops, while the woodwork that was shattered beyond further usefulness is being removed. The direction of the work was undertaken

by the chief mechanical engineer, Mr H. H. Jackson, when he arrived in Auckland from Wellington by the first expres train, and he returned to Whangamarino by the noon train. The difficult operation of restoring the overturned locomotive to the line will be undertaken on Sunday, as the railway will then be clear of traffic. The powerful plant required to lift it will be assembled in position to-day and to-morrow.

DEPARTMENTAL INQUIRY. WELLINGTON. May 28. The Railway Department has decided to leave the usual departmental inquiry until after the inquest on the victims of the Main Trunk disaster. Mr C. A. Piper, traffic superintendent of the North Island, will represent the Department at the inquest. Mr M. J. Mack, general secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Railwaymen, leaves to-night for Frankton to represent some of the railwaymen concerned in the accident. The Minister of Rail ways states that it might not be necessary to hold a public inquiry other than the inquest. The point will be decided after the inquest.