LINESMAN'S DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25204, 17 May 1945, Page 7

LINESMAN'S DEATH

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST

POSITION OF POWER WIRES "There may he some issue as to whether deceased received an electric shock, and the question as to how the fall was brought about may be the subject of further proceedings," said the coroner, Mr A. Addison, yesterday at the inquest into the death of Mr Harry Major, a linesman employed by the Auckland Electric-Power Board. Mr Tuck appearod for the widow of deceased, Mr Martin for the Power Board, and Mr West for the insurance company concerned.

Evidence was given hv Hobert John Stuart Robertson, an electric linesman, that he and deceased were changing the head of a street lamp in Tannvha Street. West Tamaki, at about 2.30 p.m. on March 9. Deceased went up a pole to connect the lamp to the roadside wire. This wire should have been the neutral or earth wire. Alter making the connection he removed his safety belt and came down the ladder a short distance for the purpose of connecting the other lead to the street lighting. He tested the street lamp, which had been repaired, and it was found to be in order. Remark by Deceased Witness said that he then heard deceased cry out and saw he was hung up on a. line. Witness climbed up the ladder and when he was up about 12ft he felt deceased's body strike him. When he was lowered to the ground he was still conscious and said: "How did I get that?"

The usual practice in wiring was that the roadside or outside wire was the neutral or earth wire, continued witness. In that particular case, the second wire from the roadside was the neutral one. The pole where the accident occurred bad recently been replaced and witness said that the gang that did the job would know the neutral wire was in the wrong position. He contended that the gang should have changed the wire or reported the matter. He surmised that while deceased had the iead of the lamp in his hand he received a shock and made a grab at something to save himself. In so doing, he grabbed the street lighting wire, which caused a circuit through the body. Board Engineer's Evidence

"The sequence of the phases is a good practice, and 110 significance can he attached to the arrangement of the neutral wire," said Alfred Onslow Glasse, chief engineer to the Power Board. "It presented no danger to the average experienced workman. The new pole was erected by a foreman who was an experienced man and if he had considered that the position of the wires presented any danger he would have reported the matter. It is true that the wires, are bare as, due to their age, the insulation has been almost stripped off. All workmen are issued with rubber gloves, which are periodically tested."

Witness said that the section of distribution in which the accident occurred was part of the original West Tamaki system which had been taken over by the board. To Mr Tuck, witness said that as far as A.C. current was concerned the rule in the board's district other than in West Tamaki was that the roadside wire was neutral.

Replying to Mr Martin, witness said that the same system as at West Tamaki obtained with other boards and with a neighbouring board. Another Opinion on Cause -

An engineer of the hydro-electric branch of the Works Department, Oscar Edinburgh Chamberlain, said that he thought it was safe to say that the fundamental cause of the accident was the displacement of the neutral wire in the three spans. The position was accentuated by the fact that the distribution wires in that section were about 20 years old and practically devoid of insulation. That being the case, it would not be particularly apparent to an elderly employee that the neutral wire was not in its usual place. Medical evidence previously taken stated that deceased died at the hospital on March 10, and that his death was due to shock and multiple injuries, consistent with his having fallen from a power pole. There was no obvious burn to the body. A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned by the coroner. TWO MEN FOUND GUILTY COMMENT BY THE JURY The trial of two Maoris, William White, labourer, aged 29 (Mr Noble), and Harry Tane, factory hand, aged 22 (Mr Dickson), on a charge of attempting to commit rape was completed before Mr Justice Callan yesterday. There were alternative charges of assault with intent to commit rape, indecent assault and assault, and each man was separately charged with common assault on another woman. Mr G. S. R. Meredith appeared for the Crown. The jury found White guilty of attempt to commit rape and of assault on a second woman and Tane guilty of indecent assault and assault on a third woman. "The jury thinks that the encouragement given to these men should be taken into account." said the foreman. . In remanding the accused for sentence tomorrow morning, His Honor, said he would give the fullest possible weight to the view the jury had expressed. He found himself in general agreement with it. TEACHERS APPOINTED The following teaching appointments were authorised by the Auckland Education Board yesterday:— Head Teachers.—Mr E. Evans. M.A., Dip. Ed., Xarthoote District High; Mr C. W. Malcolm, 8.A., Forest Lake; Mr R. G. Crawshaw, Ponsonby; Mr S. H. Thomas, Newmarket; Mr A. McDonald, Arapuni; Mr F. Crandle, Horeke.

Sole Teachers. —Mr G. H. Feigler, Kaimarama; Mr G. H. J. Conway, Kaingaroa Forest; Mr K. P. Andrews. Tairua. Secondary Assistant Masters. —Mr J. F. Sharkey, M.A. Wellsford District High; Mr K. B. Harrod, Kaikohe District High; Mr H. H. GorriiiKe, Otorohanga District High; Mr W. J. Morrison, Taumarunui District High; Mr C. H. Meads, Te Awamutu District High; Mr N H. Whatman, Ruawai District High. Lecturer in Method. —Mr K. J. M. Hayr, Auckland Training College. Assistant Lecturer in Nature Study.—Mr G. Allcock, Auckland Training College. Assistant Masters.—Mr S. C. Rosser, Kowhai Intermediate; Mr E. A. Meyer, Paeroa District High; Mr R. M. Shepherd, New Lynn; Mr R. B. Johnston. Otorohanga District High; Mr G. W. Leigh, Pukekohe. Secondary Assistant Mistresses. —Miss B. E, Thompson, Waiuku District Hifrh; Miss V. ,T. Wilkinson. Cambridge District High; Miss A. Solomon, Kaitaia District High; Miss P. E. Beck, 8.A., Kelcnsville District High; Mrs M. E. Hare, Northcote District High. Senior Assistant Mistress. —Miss L. W. A. Spence, Ngaruawahia. Assistant Mistresses. —Miss F. B. Armstrong, B.A. Kowhai Intermediate; Miss I. A. Farrelly, Kowhai Intermediate; Miss D. G. Wilks, Te Awamutn District High, intermediate department; Miss V..J. la Mare, Cambridge District High; Miss K. M. L. Williams, Dominion Road; Miss E. M. O'Reilly, St. Heliers; Miss F. L. Mackenzie, Russell; Mrs L. Buckland, Puma; Miss L. J. Roberts Springdale; Miss K. W. Hall, Tahuna; Miss V. G. Walsh, Hoe-o-tainui; Mrs S. R. Thompson, Avondale Primary; Miss E. H. Frew. Birkenhead; Mrs J. M. A. Thomas, Edendale; Mrs K. M. Pritchard, Mangere Central; Miss B. B. Meiklejohn, Matamata Primary; Miss M. D. Aitken, 8.A., Maungawhau; Miss M. B. Hickey, Maungawhau-, Mrs J. K. Mac Lean, Ngaruawahia; Miss J. F. Herbert, Swanson; Miss A. M. Rive, Tanwhare; Miss D. I. Bain, Tirau; Miss M. M. Black, Tuakau; Miss M. I. Hawes Wardville. The following war appointments were also authorised:—Assistant, mistresses; Miss J. M. Hocauard, Ponsonby; Mrs M. L. Schmitt, Whitiora; Mrs E. M. Reed, Whan Valley; Miss .T. W. R.vburn, Te Puke District Hitrh.