AUCKLAND TRAMWAY ACCIDENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13209, 16 February 1905, Page 8

AUCKLAND TRAMWAY ACCIDENT.

(Per United Prkss Association'.) AUCKLAND, February 15. To-day tlio Coroner opened the inquiry into the fatal collision between u 'bus and a tramcar on Monday last. Sergeant . Hendry ■ requested (hat the jury should visit the scone of tlio accident anil inspect the ruins of the 'bus and also the ear. The Coroner then arranged that the inquest should be held on 2nd prox. Dr Hardie Neil .said on Monday last, at about a quarter-past 6 p.m., be was driving down Symonds street towards St. Paul's Church, and ",vhcn near the Caledonian Hotel ho heard a erash in tlio direction of Kast street. Looking backwards lie saw the 'bus beinj; driven bloii? in front of the car in a cloud of dust. When lie got up to the car lie saw the deceased Iyinj; under the car in contact- with the luck wheels, but not ill any way injured by thnm, She had passed under the fore part of the car, and the front wheels must have gone over her. Witness dweritied 011 paper how ho had found Mrs Foster's body, and ventured to express the opinion as to how it- came where he found it-.

Sergeant Hendry: I understood, Mr Coroner, I hat Dr Hardio Neil was only going to give evidence of the cause of death". I have a very great objection to have at present any other evidence from him, and it is not desirable at the present stnee to havo from Dr Xeil any evidence of the circumstances surrounding the accident, The Coroner: He cannot eivc them. Dr Hardio Neil then made an examination .of the body of Mrs Foster in the hospital mortuary. On returning to court he said the s'kull was fractured in two places. The fracture app'enred lb have been caused bv the cru«hine movement of the car, but he was satisfied that the wheels of the car did not go over tho skull. The left arm was crushed at tho elbow, evidently by the car. There were sever.il bruises and abrasions on the left nnrf, of the chest, but no other part of the bodv bad wheel marks unon it. The cause of death was fracture of the skull, an injury such as could liavo been received by pas-.ing under tho car. The body was very much mangled. A juryman asked the coroncr, if the jury brought in a. verdict and suggesting anv steps that midit be taken, would their verdict lie given effect to. He was. he said, a member of the jury which inquired into the cfHi ! e of death of the victims of tho Kingsland tram accident. Then recommendations w»re made by 'lie jury, and these, had not been given effect to, The jury cam'- the'-e to bohl nn inquiry. It, was useless for them to do so if 110 effect was men to their verdict, and no notice taken of it, lie wanted that point cleared up. Tho Coroner, in ronlv. fnjd.ihe verdict, would be received, and if tho'jury liked to add a ri'Vr the-y could do so. "Unon verdict, however, other proceedings mightor mifjlif; not he takon, The- inquest was tlion adjourned.