STAMPEDE OF CAB-HORSES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6494, 14 April 1908, Page 6

STAMPEDE OF CAB-HORSES

THE PALMERSTON FATALITY. ADJOURNED INQUEST, (From Our Own Correspondent.) PALMERSTON, April 13. The adjourned inquest in connection with the death of Miss Martha Jones, tho victim of tho stampede of vehicles Vit the railway station on April 4th, was hold to-day before Captain Mowlem, district coroner. Herbert John Woodfield, stable proprietor, said ho arrived at tho railway station at 9 o’clock on the Saturday night in question to meet the Misses Russell, of FUzhcrbert. He left Galhigher, his ’busman, to look after his horses. He had tied his reins on the near front wheel. After meeting his fares he wont to tho luggage van, but Us it was not open he at once went back to the cab. Miss Ida Bussell was with him at the van. On returning to his cab ho stood a little behind it and heard tho other driver call out <r Whoal whoa!" He then to a little pony cart just getting out from among his horees. The result of the disturbance made by the pony was that bis horses wheeled round on to the horses of the other cab, causing the latter to bolt. He tried to stop liis own horses, which also bolted. Tho other cab collided first with the ticket office steps and then with the mUil cart. The near side door ol his cab was open when the bolt took place, and coming in contact with tho other cab was torn off. Henry Thompson, cab driver, employed by Mr Woodfield, flaid that he had gone to the railway station with Mrs Reid from the Grand Hotel to meet Mr Reid, arriving by the Wellington train. He had never left his hor«fi while at the station. He had closed the cab door after his fares, when he saw Mr Woodfiold’s horses coming into his, ♦and ho called out. He was then in the act of mounting to his ’box and was on the wheel, but ho fell off. Tho horsoe bolted with tho occupants of the cab. There was a pony cart in front which came in contact with Woodfield’© horses. Anita Marguerite West said sho had driven to the station on th« evening of the accident in company with the late lyUss Jones. She had tied th* horse up with a Clnpham holder, and hud stood br the trap. When the train came in Tritrmn* went on to the station to meet a friend, leaving Miss Jones standjne the me mud the m*>il« ar<* loadnd. AG <*r ehe h«d met *he train i sho retrr»*n«fl tn where had b-G Mis" Jones a-nd a crowd Ph" T-f>c fz-dd +h«t Anr,s Jonrs had h««n iniirrad Vttc*, v *** fb«n tat'en in*e fh.e Mrsonia where mediral aid r-as r»”o'*tir«d. that •h> had knocked down bv the secrrU* hirr n fh-td^-fU m t.rr-d an aan'dant jnwWh vacr hi- Ann <Tp r, h nr»A* 11* h»*d hr'^'-d s- ;>T-.rv~l *hr* ho I **—ei ti-, holt. A nrlrr tr*p *,»V5n~ -*-he runner to the +Vr> j*nthorftir« tn +h~ we-* in wh.ioh unattended within tho borough.