ACCIDENTS ON WHARVES

Southland Times, Issue 17795, 28 May 1918, Page 5

ACCIDENTS ON WHARVES

THE CHAIRMAN’S EVIDENCE. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 27. Before the Accidents on Wharves Commission to-day Mr 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 in operation at the cement hatch and worked it himself. The brake had no effect whatever as a brake. The man at the winch had rigged a substantial batten above the drum, and had a wire rope coiled in order to prevent it going over the end of the drum, the height of the drum being hardly a margin of safety. The timber barrier was worn in certain places where it came in contact. He saw on one winch an escape of steam. He put the brake of the winch full down, and got the winchman to start the machinery, The hand brake had no effect in thelessening of the speed of the revolutions of the winch. Alfred Calvert, surveyor of ships and inspector of machinery, said inspectors made a survey at any time. They made an examination of winches and if they saw any defect mentioned it, and it was remedied. That inspection was made apart from the requirements of the regulations. He saw that defects discovered in machinery were remedied. He had no difficulty in getting them remedied. He found few defects in the Harbour Board gear. He thought it better to have one inspecting authority for the ships and hulks of the Harbour Board.