WHANGAMARINO.

Timaru Herald, Volume CI, Issue 15447, 9 September 1914, Page 9

WHANGAMARINO.

*. — RAILWAY FATALITIES. TABLET PORTER ACQUITTED. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND. Sept. S. As :-> quel to Whangamnrino railway disaster on May 27 when three passingers in Man Tinak express wore kil.el and several injured .11 ccllis.ou with goods tram. Win. Donaldson, tablet porter on duty at W'.uuigamariuo .-tatloa at the time of the accident, was p'.ac.d on trial at the Siiprelne (.'otirt today, on a charge of manslaughter. Evidence was heard at length on the hues cf that gven at the prcv.ous inqirrics. In summing up. Mr Jest ice Cc.oper said the question r. ally lvsirlved it-self into whetlicr the accused had befn .nuihy of t.uch a breach <l' i ides as io make him cr.iii.n-ili-y re>p. ii.--|b!<>. Thero was a geiici-.1l rule thai railway -. rvants must safeguard the interests c: the public, ami a specili - rule lli.'.t must frcqm :illy satisfy themselves as to the ccrre<t working of their s : g::a'>. Had a: ciisrd, taking i \ervi lilng into cons derat'irn, been uui'ly of culpable iirgrgenco in not s- i Ir.g hi- s : _ual 1.-.lv.een mltltiighl a-ivl I o'i-.o k Hi the morning, or was he ji:—l-'li-d in rtly.m: upon its correctnes--, and iii'.ihy tin refore of oii'y an error cf iinlgmciil r -\lter a few in : iiul"s' retirement Ihe jury found accused not loiiity. ami hMas dM-harged.