STAMPEDE OF CAB-HORSES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13636, 15 April 1908, Page 7

STAMPEDE OF CAB-HORSES.

MISS MARTHA JONES' DEATH

INQUEST AT PALMKKSTON

~ The adjoumovl inquest Cvincerniny; the death of Miss Martha Joaos, iho victim of the stampede ot vehicles, at the railway station on April 4th, was hold at Palmerston on Monday. The following report of tho proceedings is taken from the Wellington Times: —

Herbert John Wcodficld, stable proprietor, said he arrived at tho railway station at 9 o'clock on the Saturday night in question. On returning to his cab he stood a little behind it and saw 'a little pony cart jus>t getting out from among liis horses. Tho result of tho disturbance made by tho pony was that his horses wheeled round on to the*..; horses of the other cab. causing the latter to bolt. Ho tried to stop his own horses, but they also bolted. ' ,

Anita Marguerite West said she had driven to the station on the evening of the accident in company with the late Miss (Jones. She had tied tho horse up with a Claphani holder, and had stood by the trap. When the irain came in witness went on to the station to meet a friend, leaving Miss Jones standing between* the gig and where the mails are loaded. After sho had met the "tarain she returned to where she had Toft Miss Jones and found a crowd gathered. She was told that Miss Jones had been injured. Miss Jones was then taken into the Masonic Hotel, whore medical aid wus procured. Deceased told witness that she had been knocked down by the second cab. •

The jury returned a verdict that death was caused through an accident in which deceased was run over by one of two cabs, the horses of which had bolted, but there- was nothing to show what caused the horses to bolt. A rider was added asking tho Coroner to draw the attention of the authorities to the way in which vehicles wereT constantly left unattended.