DEATH OF J. E. WILLIAMS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17346, 10 May 1924, Page 2

DEATH OF J. E. WILLIAMS.

The inquest touching the death of James Ernest Williams, who was killed at the State Coal Depot. Harper Street, on May 7, was resumed before Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M., Coroner, tins morning. Deceased's brother, Joseph Edward Williams, had previously given evidence that though deceased iiaa met with an accident a 1 out a year ago. he was able to do a good day’s worn. Di J F. Landretli, house surgeon at the Christ-aimrch Hospital, had stated that when admitted to the Hospital Williams was dead. Mr Johnston appeared for the relatives of deceased, Mr Burns for th > contractor in charge of the machinery, and Mr Upham for the Guardian Insurance Company. Alfred Daniel Yarian, Inspector of Machinery, saicl that he had examined the machinery at the State Coal Depot on January 16. The machinery comprised a portable saw bench operated by a. 7\ horse power electric m.-lor, the power brng carried by an armoured cable 38 feet long and about seven-eighths of an inch in diameter The switchboard was in a shed approximately 150 feet from the electric connecting point. He did not examine the cable very closely, as it was then coiled up on the motor, but to all appearance it was quite all right The accident to deceased occurred on May 7, and he was notified by the police. He went to the yards the following morning, not having been notified until then. He found the cable wound up on top of the motor covered with canvas. He was shown the motor and it was the same one no had examined previously. It was properly protected. At a distance of l.pft Gin from the plug the cable had been crushed and broken, leaving the insulation exposed to the weather. The insulation on the cable at the break exposed a bare wire for the space of about three-eighths of *an inch. The connection plug socket was fixed to a post about six feet from the ground. The motor was attache! to a circular saw, the current for which was conducted Jhrough the cable, the slack of which when working was left lying on the ground. He did not know exactly where deceased was standing when he. received the injuries, but, he was shown where he fell. There was no other break m the cable.. It might be possible, however, to receive a shock from other points on the cable as it had a metai sheath. To the Magistrate: The machinery with the exception of the broken cable was in good order. To Mr Johnston: The contractor was i.i charge of the yard. The plant would have to be inspected perhaps by the City Council’s inspectors prior to being installed. He had not inquired of any one as •to the safety of the cable. He had not been told when inspecting the cable after the accident that shocks had been received previously by the workmen. At this stage the inquest was adjourned sine die.