MANGAHAO DISASTER

Maoriland Worker, Volume 12, Issue 294, 18 October 1922, Page 6

MANGAHAO DISASTER

Action for Damages

Enquiries have been made , from time to time in connection/with the Mangahao disaster, and Laboiu - ; members of Parliament have been asked why they have not raised the question of a Commission of Inquiry from their places in Parliament. Having made enquiries, we are able to state that, acting' on behalf of certain of the relatives of the victims, 2tfr. P. J. O'Regan is taking proceedings for damages. The parties for whom he is acting and the amounts are as follow: —- Mrs. E. Graham, widow of Philip Graham, £2000; Mrs. E. Graham, widow of Phlip Graham, £20l>0; * Mrs. E. Birss, widow of Frederick James Birss, £2000; Mrs. E. Birsj, on account of her son, Charles William Birss, £2000; Mr. and Mrs. Butler, parents of Bernard Butler, ,£750. Proceeding's have been somewhat delayed for the reason that it is necessary to give the Crown one calendar month's notice. The claims for damages are founded upon negligence on the part of the Public Works Department: (1) In adopting a dangerous system of ventilation; (2) in not. housing the auxiliary ventilating engine (in consequence.whereof it was incapable of acting when the main ventilating engine was not available) ; and (3) for failing to provide a special pipe to conduct the noxious gases. There is also another ground of negligence, which it is scarcely fair to publish pending the trial of the actions. With respect to the deaths of Messrs Miller and Maxwell, we have no Information whether proceedings are being taken by their relatives.

As a matter of fact, we are also able io state that the Parliamentary Labour Party would have pressed for a Royal Commission of Enquiry but for the fact that legal action is certainly pending.