TRAMWAY SMASH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19848, 17 January 1920, Page 10

TRAMWAY SMASH.

TO-DAY’S PROCEEDINGS. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, January 17. The inquiry into the Pirie Street tramway smash was continued this morningMr M’Gillivray, tramway traffic manager, said ho was firmly of opinion that whatever happened to the inotorman happened in an instant. There were times when a compulsory stop was an optional stop. There was n,n obligation on the conductor to see, in certain circumstances, that the car did stop at such places. In this case the conductor had no opportunity of stopping the car. That was what he believed- Tho conductor would have applied tho hand, brake had ho known that the motorman was down. If a conductor knew of tho failure of a mblomian he would apply the hand brake at the roar of the car, provided he was not nearer the front end at the time. He considered 1 that a. complete provision in itself. ‘The matter of additional precaution in tho event of such cases would be considered by thq Tramways Department, In 17 years’ experience ho had not conio across a case of sudden seizure of a motorman- This was one case in millions.