CHRISTCHURCH TRAM SMASH.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 1682, 31 May 1919, Page 7

CHRISTCHURCH TRAM SMASH.

JHE INQUEST, (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURGH, MSy 30. The adjourned inquiry into the dsa-th of William fcjamuel Briihton, who died as a. result of injuries received in. the recent tram smas>ii at was resumed bsfone the Coroner, Mr S. E. McCarthy. Mt> torman Read said lie entered ; tih6 points aft six miles an. hour, and then built tip speed again. When he felt a jar he applied the brakes, and pulled up the care in a leaigtihi. The. train waS overloaded. The trailers had no. independent brakes. Cdndudfeor Baifflton, who was oh thefirst trailer, said that on noticing that the trailer was . derailed, he gave a danger signal The cars were ov«*r T loaded and the trailer which overturned was carry in ig at least 90 passengers. The Goran rx: How many passshgera are, the cars licensed to carry.? Mr Johnston (oouhsai for Trainwayd Union,): That is tihe trouble., sir, they are not licensed. The witness weait on to say that in his opinion another conductor on the second tea-let woiii have obviated the accident. He would know as soon aa •the trailer left the rails and signal the fa'qt. Percy D. Tonkin. arid Thomas WMartin, gave it as their opinion that the .tram was travelling too fast. Edward C. Farr, of t!he Public Works Department, said hie had examined the points, which appearel to be in perfect) working orclisr. He could ascribe no cause for the cas" leaving one line and going on the other. J. H MrißiTiis, District Eiigineeiv Public Works Departmenlt, gave it as liis opinion that excessive spefed, together wiitlH. joUirwr or rolling of the ptt! trailer, caussd the car tb leave the rails. The inquiry was adjourned.