THE SCAFFOLD TRAGEDY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18019, 18 February 1922, Page 10

THE SCAFFOLD TRAGEDY

DEPARTMENT PROSECUTES.

BREACH BY EMPLOYING FIRM.

NOTIFICATION TO INSPECTOR.

An echo of the recent tragedy at Endean's Buildings, when four painters were killed by the collapse of a scaffold, was heard in the Polico Court yesterday bofore Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M. K. R. Taylor (Mr. L'ndean), mamager of J. Henderson and Co., was charged with having committed a breach of tho Scaffolding Act by failing to give 24 hours' notico of intention to erect a scaffolding. The prosecution was conducted by Mr, G. H. Lightfoot, officer in charge of tho Auckland Labour Department. Defendant pleaded not guilty, counsel submitting thait it was a custom of long standing in Auckland for persons about, to erect scaffolding to send in their notice and proceed with the erection of the scaffolding on the same day. It was admitted that defendant bad proceeded with tho work the same day as the notice had been sent After hearing legal argument Mr, Poynton said tho facts of tho iaso were quite clear and could hardly bo disputed. The notice, on the recognised form, was sent in on the morning of the day of the accident, and within a few hours tho structure had collapsed and tho men were killed. It was essential that the public should recognise the necessity for rigid compliance with tho requirements of the Scaffolding Act. It was necessary that notice should be given to the inspector 25 hours before the erection of a scaffold as there micht he several notices and he would not then be able to make his examination within two or three hours. The magistrate said that such a custom as was contended by tho defenco to exist could not override the statute. At Mr. Endean's request the penalty was made £5 Is, to .permit of an appeal, security for which was fixed at £15, plus fine amd costs. ■