HYDE TRAGEDY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24748, 23 November 1943, Page 2

HYDE TRAGEDY

OPENING OF INQUIRY TRAIN GUARD'S CASE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Monday An inquiry into the Hyde railway tragedy, which occurred on June 4, opened to-day. The board comprises Sir Francis Frazer, Mr. John Wood, former engineer-in-chief of "the "Works Department, and Mr. H. L. Cole, secretary of the New Zealand Institute of Ell- - Most of tlie evidence taken in the Supreme Court at the trial of the engine-driver, J. P. A. Corcoran, was accepted. Departmental officers gave evidence concerning proposed new regulations regarding intemperance of employees and wider powers of suspension. After the luncheon adjournment, the hoard considered the case of the guard of the train who, it was stated, had been suspended and in the event of dismissal intended to appeal. Evidence as to Drinks After discussing the evidence relating to drinks consumed by the guard early in the day, Mr. Mcilvride, who appeared for the Amalgamated Society ol Railway Servants, said the guard had signed on for duty in the presence of a stationnia.sler and he knew that men in responsible positions were carefully scrutinised and not allowed to take up duly if. in the opinion of a stationmaster, they had been partaking of liquor and were not in a fit state.

It was indicated, added Mr. Mcilvride, that the guard had given the requisite signals correctly and promptly. Although there was mention of some comment among the passengers about the speed of the train, there was no actual complaint to the guard. It appeared that the guard had been alert, using his judgment, and had not failed in the discharge of his duties. Duty to Take Action .Mr. Thomas submitted that, considering the speed of the train, the time made up, the comments of passengers, an<l the guard's knowledge that the driver had had liquor that morning, to art alert guard the indications were clear that some action on his part was necessary. There was also the question of how far the liquor consumed by the guard himself might have affected 'his judgment. The guard had had an opportunity at Hyde of taking up with the driver the question of speed. He also had access, to the guard's emergency brake.

"Thorn should have boon clear indications to tho guard that some action on his part was necessary." said Mr. Thomas, "In failing to take such action hp was guilty of dereliction of duty." Speed Indicators R. .1. Card. assistant chief mechanical engineer of the Railway Department, in a written statement, said the department's experience with tho maehanic-allv-driven recording type of speed indicator had been unsatisfactory over many years. It had endeavoured to maintain them in operation. The solution seemed to bo to use the electric transmitter type of speed indicator which, from trials already made, was definitely far superior to the recording type in reliability. ft was explained that a speed recorder kept a permanent, record of speeds, but a speed indicator merely showed the speed from moment to moment.

"At present it is very difficult to obtain delivery ol any type of speed recorder or indicator, but it is hoped the Stones type on order will shortly arrive," said Mr. Gard. "ft is hoped that by the time supplies of suitable instruments are available the tests will be completed and a decision made, so that orders for the necessary instruments of the speed indicator type required tor our main line engines "an be placed."

The board will consider the evidence and report to the Minister bv December 10.

RESCUE FROM FLAMES

MAORI INFANT IN HOUSE AIRMEN'S PROMPT ACTION (0.C.) ROTORUA, Monday A .Maori infant was rescued from a burning house at Uhineniiitu by lour members of the Air Force on Saturday. The men, who were walking through the village, forced their way into the house arid discovered a 10-monllis-old iuta»t, Sam Meihana. in a bed practically enveloped in flames. The men rescued the child, which was sent to the Rotorua Hospital, where his condition is reported to be serious. The child is the son of Mr. and Mrs. S. Meihana, who had put the child to sleep and temporarily left the building. The house was practically demolished.

YOUTH FATALLY HURT

STRUCK BY TYRE RIM (P.A.) BLENHEIM, Monday Severe head injuries from which lie died five hours later in the Wairau Hospital were suffered bv Edward Hodson, aged 17, when a locking rim flew off a heavy motor-lorry tyre which he was inflating. Accompanied by three young brothers and sisters the youth took two big tyres on a light truck to an unattended service station. He was removing the air hose connection when the ring blew out with n loud explosion. ELDERLY WIDOW INJURED Concussion and lacerations were suffered by .Mrs. Margaret Walsh, a widow, a tied 77, of 4 Douglas Street, Ponsonby, when she was knocked down by a motorcycle in Queen Street, yesterday afternoon. Her condition at the Auckland Hospital last niylit was not serious. STRUCK BY A TAXI (0.C.) HAMILTON, Monday Head injuries were suffered by Mr. Herbert Prout. aged (i.'i. share-milker, of Hukuhia, when he was knocked down by a laxi in Victoria Street, Hamilton. IJe was admitted to the Waikato Hospital in a fairly serious condition. SCALDED BY STEAM JET (0.C.) WJIANG AKEI, Monday Scalds on the face and neck were suffered by Mr. Nelson Thorbnrn, motor mechanic, of Whangarei, this morning, when he was operating a steam hose. The steam jet accidentally struck his face. He was removed to the Whangarei Hospital. His condition is not serious. DOMESTIC SUFFERS BURNS (0.C.) \V HANGAR El, Monday Flames from burning fat in the oven of a stove caused severe burns to the right leg of Mrs. Millie Botica. a domestic, oi Whangarei, when she attempted to close i lie oven door with her fool. She was removed to the Whangarei Hospital.

YOUTH MISSING Reported to the police as missing. Kohort George ' I'eter) Jones, aged 17. has been absent from his home at Ilunua since November:"). Slightly built, •~>i't, 7in. in height, with a fair complexion and dark brown hair parted in the middle, the missing youth was probably wearing a chocked navy sports coal, navy blue striped pants, striped shirt, black shoes and no hat. MINERS RESUME WORK (O.CA II I'N'TI.Y. Monday A settlement has been reached in the dispute concerning the Glen Alton and .Macdonald mines and both mines are working to-day. This morning the men held a short meeting at Glen Afton before entering the mine, but at Macdonald the meeting did not conclude until 9.25 a.m., after which the men went to work.