TRAMWAY ACCIDENT.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16432, 28 January 1919, Page 4

TRAMWAY ACCIDENT.

4 DEATH OF CONDUCTOR OWEftS. Tho enquiry iuto the tramway accident at New Brighton last Juno, whereby Conductor W. D. Owers lost his life, was resumed yesterday before Mr S. E. McCarthy, S.M. Mr A. Kimbell represented the Public Works Department, Mr J. J. Dougall the Christchurch Tramway Board, Mr l'\ "W. Johnston, Motorman Tilloysliort, and Mr C. S. Thomas. ex-Conductor P. Winter. ;. Mr Kimbell said the Public Works Department had not so far been given an opportunity of inspecting the car, nor had an inspection been made at the time of the accident. All the Department had received was a telegram from the General Manager of the Tramway Board, reporting the accident, this being required by the statute. As this accident was regarded by the Minister as a most serious one, he had decided to institute the onquiry, so as to enable him to determine whether or not the accident was attributable wholly or in part to the folly or negligence of any certified driver or other employee of the Board. If so. the Minister was empowered under the Tramway Act, 1910, to suspend such certificate, or to cancel the same. He also desired to ascertain whether the accident was attributable to any defect in the rollingI stock. Tf so, then he must, under'the Public Works Act, 1908, • direct tho Tramway Board to make such altera - I tions as ho thought fit to. such rollingslock, with the object of preventing any recurrence of such accidents. After three witnesses had given evidence, mainly formal, the enquiry was adjourned till this morning, at 10.30, | the Commissioner proceeding to New ]Jri"htnn to inspect the scene of tlx© accident.