RAILWAY ACCIDENT

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 79, 29 June 1928, Page 6

RAILWAY ACCIDENT

PARER AT A MISHAP. INQUIRY BEING HELD. AUCKLAND, June 23. As is customary in all cases of main line derailments, the Railway Department i S( holding an inquiry into the smash which occurred at Pacrata on Saturday incfmng. Two officihTs from tile head office—. Mr G, J. Bcrtinshaw, inspecting engineer, and Mr P. R. Angus, assistaut mechanical engineer—inspected the scene yesterday and commenced hearing evidence at the railway station in Auckland this morning. Their findings will be forwarded to headquarters for consideration by tbo Department’s technical advisers. It is understood that certain facts concerning tho accident have been disclosed, one of which is considered to be a contributing cause to tho mishap. Examination of tho four-wheel-ed waggon which", it is said, was mainly responsible showed that a spring had. bTuSnTT

STRICT PRECAUTION TAKEN. In a statement maclo on March 1G last Mr E. Casey, No/fcli Island divisional superintendent, said so rains tlio maintenance of rolling stock was concerned the precautions taken conformed to the best modern practice. A large staff of train examiners was distributed throughout the. system. These men were under control of ear and wagon inspectors and made a careful examination ofj all vehicles entering their respective stations. In addition to this, the ears and wagons were returned to the worlisßSps' at stateu In!sSVals for

brake overhaul, general, examination and lifting.. In conclusion Mr Casey said, “I wish to make it quite clear that the Department’s officers are fully seized of the serious possibilities attaching to derailments—the game problems confront other rail-' way systems throughout the world, and, like those people, wo are en-deavouring-to minimise them.”