ACCIDENTS ON WHARVES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17326, 28 May 1918, Page 5

ACCIDENTS ON WHARVES

CP** Ukitxd Pus* Absootatioh.; WELLINGTON, May 27. Before tho Accidents on Wharves Commission to-day the Hon. T. M. Wilford, chairman of the commission, said he went aboard a certain ship that was unloading general cargo and cement at one of the hatches. He inspected the brake opera* ing at tho cement hatch, and worked i 4" himself. Tho brake had no effect whatever, as a brakesman at the winch had rigged a substantial batten above tha drum, and had a wire rope coiled in order to prevent it going ovor the end of the drum, the height of tho drum being hardly the margin of safety. The timber barrier was worn in certain places where it cams in contact. He saw on one winch an escape of steam. He put the brake of tha winch full down, and got a winchman to start, his machinery, and the hand brake, had no effect in the lessening of the speed of the revolutions of the winch. Alfred Calvert, surveyor of ships and inspector of machinery, said the inspector* made a survey at any time. They made an examination of winches, and if they saw any defect they mentioned it, and it was remedied. That inspection was made apart from the requirements of the regulations. He saw that the defects discovered in the machinery were remedied. He had no difficulty in getting them remedied. He found few defects in the Harbour Board gear. Ho thought it better to have one inspecting authority for the ships' hulks of tho Harbour Board.