THE BANKSIDE COLLISION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8907, 19 April 1907, Page 3

THE BANKSIDE COLLISION.

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY. AN OPEN COURT. The Coin mission of Inquiry into the causes of the railway collision which occurred between Bankside and- Rakaia on Good Friday morning, opened its sittings at the Provincial Council Chambers this morning. Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., is the Commissioner, and sitting with him are Messrs A. L. Beattie, chief mechanical engineer, and H. Buxton, chief traffic manager. Mr S. F. Whitoambe, district traffic manager, was present oat behalf of the Railway Department, and Mr A. M'Kenzie, running-shed foreman, appeared to watch the proceedings on behalf of hie department of til© service. Mr Bishop opened the proceedings, stating that the inquiry was being held at the request of the Minister of Kailways to ascertain, if possible, the causes of the accident which occurred on. Good Friday. It was to be on the lines of a Marine Inquiry, and Messrs Beattie and Buxton were to sit with him as advisers. The inquiry was a public and not a departmental one. J. J. Meikle, the suspended enginedriver of the train which is alleged to have caused the collision, asked fci % leave to be represented by a fellowworker. After consultation with his advisers Mr Bishop stated that the engine-di-iver, the guard (H. C. Seaman), and the Department's representatives could if they wished be represented by counsel. The inquiry would be adjourned until 2 p.m. in order to allow of the attendance of counsel. The inquiry was resumed at Wo o'clock. Mr Stringer appeared for the Railway Department, and Mr Hoban for Meikle and Seaman. Mr Hoban stated that he desired to apply for an adjournment. There had apparently been some misunderstanding, and the men for whom he appeared had only that morining been told tihat they could be represented by counsel. They had then seen him, and he thought that it would be only fair to them and to himself that he should not be asked' to go on with the matter bef or© he had had an opportunity of goina into the case. He would, have to studjy a large number of rules and regulations whioh. might bear on the case. Meikle, the driver, was still in a weak state of health, and unfit to attend the quiry,Mr Stringer said that it was unfortunate that a hitch 'had occurred, but he felt that under the circumstances ho could not oppose the application for an adjournment, which was a perfectly reasonable one. There might be serious issaies of the inquiry 60 far as the men were concerned, and they should be given -every opportunity to safeguard their interests. Mr Bishop said that he had been informed only on his arrival at the Court of the class of inquiry to be conducted. His colleagues had bc«n under the impression that it was to be a departmental inquiry, and in that case, the parties interested would not have been allowed to be represented by counsel. Mr Buxton and Mr Beattie had important business awaiting them elsewhere, and it was desirable that the inquiry should be continued as scon as possible. There must be y am adjournment, and he would suggest thiat tho inquiry should be resumed on Monday. Mr 'Hoban said that he would prefer an adjournment for a fortnight. Mr Bishop, after consultation with his colleagues, stated that he was desirous of giving the parties every possible opportunity of preparing their evidence. As it would suit the convenience of his colleagues, he would be ready ■to adjourn for a longer period. Tho inquiry would be resumed at 10.30 a.m. on Monday, May 13.