“OVER ZEALOUSNESS.”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 26 January 1926, Page 8

“OVER ZEALOUSNESS.”

CAUSE OF LINESMAN’S DEATH. • By TiJetrnph—Prenn Association. AUCKLAND, Jan. 25. An inquiry into the death of Willi an* liinks, aged 36, a gang foreman employed by the Auckland Electric Power Board, was hold before Mr J. W. Boynton, S.M., Coroner. Hinks was kil’od instantly at Mangore. on January 18, while working on an 11,000-volt line. The evidence showed that linesmen in the Board’s emplo.v arc expressly forbidden to work on high tension “alive” wires, and that work on such lines is not to lie commenced until tho men are notified that the linos have been made “dead.”

Oliver Mnthiesou said lie gave Hinks a list of jobs to lie done after the line had been made “dead,” and the particular work at Man gore was included in tho list. No man was allowed to touch tension wires until witness told him the line was “dead.” Hinks was a most cautious jnan, and had had wide experience. In answer to the Coroner, witness suggested ovcr-zcalousness on the part of Hinks as the only reason for his action. The finding was that death was dun to electrocution, no blame bcino attachable to anyone. °