THE FATAL TRAM ACCIDENT AT AUCKLAND.

Colonist, Volume XLVI, Issue 10917, 7 January 1904, Page 3

THE FATAL TRAM ACCIDENT AT AUCKLAND.

INQUEST AND VERDICT. Auckland. January 6. The following was the verdict in the tramway inquiry :— That Ann Young Hogarth met her death on the night of December 24th, 1903, on the double deck car No. 39, proceeding from Kingland to Auckland, by a trolly pole breaking away from the conductor, the said trolly arm becoming unmanageable, and^ striking her on the head, and causing her death. That the death of Benjamin Lindsay was caused through the colliding of car No. 39 and combination car No. 32. That the death of William Caley was caused through a collision between cars Nos. 39 and 32 on the night of December 24th, 1903. The jury also find that the cause oi tne collision on the night of December 24th was through the ratchet brake failing to act, causing the motorman to lose his head, and through want of knowledge he did not use the other brakes under his command. The following rider was added :— That in consequence of the steep grades in and around Auckland, the use of double decker cars should be discontinued. We also recommenc that the company' s'mode of teaching motormen and conductors is inade quate. More stringent measure* should be adopted, and life guards should be attached to the cars witt as little delay as possible. We agret that the brake power on the cars ii quite satisfactory when in prope; order, and in the hands of personi who understand the brakes. We als< agree that motormen and conductor! should be subject to medical examin a'tion as to their fitness. We are als< of opinion that the speed on dowi grades should be reduced. The Coroner stated that he pro posed to place the rider before th< authority in New Zealand whicl represented the Board of Trade. M Vickerman, District Engineer, ex plained that this was the Miniate for Public Works.