RAILWAYMAN'S DEATH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15834, 3 February 1915, Page 9

RAILWAYMAN'S DEATH.

—♦> . i FALL FROM SIGNAL POLE. INQUIRY BY CORONER. , REGULATIONS NOT OBSERVED. The hearing of the evidence at the inquest into the circumstances of the death at Henderson on January 26 of James Porter, a. railway carpenter, was concluded yesterday. The district coroner, Mr. E. C. Cuttcn, stated that he would announce his verdict this afternoon. The accident occurred at three o'clock in the afternoon, at a time when Porter I and another carpenter named Anderson ! were working at the top of the signal ! post. The post was already set in the | ground, and a derrick, supported by four I guys, one of which crossed the main, loop, and d«k lines, was being used to hoist into position the "dolls," or upright portions of the signal. When a waggon, on which were two huts, was shunted on to the dock line it was found that insufficient clearance had been pro vided. The hut came into contact with tho guy, severed it, and caused the derrick to collapse. Anderson saved himself by clinging to the signal post, but Porter fell a distance of 30ft, and sustained injuries which resulted in his death. Watching the proceedings on behalf of the Railway Department and tho New | Zealand Amalgamated Society of Railway j Servants, respectively, were Mr. F. E. i Shera. of the Crown Solicitor's office, and Mr. J. 0. Tole, instructed by Messrs. Earl and Kent. The Amalgamated Society , of Carpenters and Joiners, of which Porter was a member, was represented by Mr. A. E. Skelton. Thought Rope Would Clear. Continuing his evidence, interrupted by the adjournment of the inquest, Thomas Anderson, railway carpenter, said that Johnson, who was in charge of the gang, had referred to the guy crossing the lines, and had remarked, " I think that rope will clear nicely and let any trains pass up and down." Witness replied, " I think it will do." Mr. Skelton: The angle of tho derrick was altered?— Yes, I told them to slacken one of the guys so as to alter the angle of the derrick and enable me to get a "doll" in position. Tho derrick leaned towards the dock line. Evidence of Foreman. Harry Johnson, acting as leading signal erector, residing at Henderson, said that he was in charge of a gang of lb men employed at the Henderson railway station erecting signals. By his instructions a derrick was erected and secured by four guys, consisting of liin ropes. Three of the guys were made fast to crowbars, but J the fourth, which passed over three lines of rails, was secured to a fence post. He did not test tho height of the fourth guy, although he knew there was a possibility of a train shunting on to the dock lino. He examined the guys, found they were secure, and then left the work in order to attend to other matters. Chief-Detective McMahon : You were not present when the accident occurred, hut returned when you heard of the mishap —Yes. Who would hare authority to alter the position of the derrick?—Anderson, 1 suppose. It was plumb when I left. After the guys had been placed in position, did you take any steps to inform any authorities of their presence ?—No. Knew the Regulations. T suppose you were aware of the regulations which make it incumbent upon you to do so ?—Yes. You are also aware of a regulation in respect of clearances —Yes. And you think your measurements respecting this guy were consistent with that rule?— Yes, I thought the rope was clear. And you consider that, under the circumstinees. you took every precaution for the safety of your men ?Yes. I do. Mr. Tole : You were onlv a casual hand Yes. Mr. Shera : But you were in charge of a gang of men, and were supplied with a copy of the regulations?— Yes. You knew what these regulations were, 1 and you knew von were bound by them? Yes. Henry John Wynne, signal and electrical engineer, residing at Wellington, said the huts and waggon required a 10ft 4in clearance. From a mark made upon one of the huts by the severed guy, it was estimated that the guy failed by llin to give a clearance. Other rolling stock re- ' quired even greater clearance, but tho average extreme height of a truck would ' 1 not exceed 10ft. If the regulations had been observed, the accident could not have happened. Foreman's Responsibility. The Coroner (to Johnson) : Do you wish to ask any questions ? The evidence here tends to throw all responsibility upon , you. Mr. Tole: Johnson is a member of the society for whom I appear. In reply to the coroner, the witness (Wynne) said that Johnson was justified in leaving the work when he did, provided everything was left secure and the men were properly instructed. Llewellyn Williams, signal erector, residing at Henderson, said that on Anderson's instructions he slackened one of the guys, causing the derrick pole to lean over towards the dock line. He could not sayhow much this caused the guy stretched across the lines to sag. Stationmaster Not Informed. Fiederick Porter, stationmaster at Henderson, said he was not on duty when the accident occurred. It he had been on duty and had been informed of the work, he would have seen that the guy gave . sufficient clearance. If it did not, dancer . ! signals would have been erected and the I ! stiff warned. , j Robert Tapsell. a porter on the railI ways, said that when he shunted the huts' I and waggon from tho main line on to the ", dock line, lie did not see the guv, although II he looked down the line to see if it was . I clear. When the accident occurred, he J was standing on the brake at tho front ' I end of the truck, and had his back turned " I on the Ciy. > This was all the evidence offered.