RICHMOND DISASTER.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 874, 21 July 1910, Page 5

RICHMOND DISASTER.

SIGNALMAN'S STORY, OVER FIFTEEN HOURS ON DUTY, COMMISSIONERS CRITICISED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. Melbourne, July 20. The driver (Melville), fireman (liurke), of the Elsternwick train, the guard (Devitt) of the Brighton train, tho signalman (M'Donald) at South Yarra, and tho signalman (Bull) at Richmond have been relieved from duty, pending tho inquiry. Jl'Donald states that they ivero using fog signals, all of which were in perfect, order, and 6vory man was iu his place. Richmond gave him permission to eend on the Elsternwick train. • Investigations made by tho police' havi.< revealed the fact that nine detonator!, were exploded near the distant signal approach at' Richmond station, ' A - report sent to the Department bjtho officer responsible for the signalling, states that two of these detonators wore exploded by the colliding of the Elsternwick train with the- other. Signalman M'Donald had been on dut> since four o'clock oh Sunday. He wa*> to have been relieved at seven o'clock on Monday morning, but was informed that the relief man was ill. ' Jl'Donald then told the stationmaster that he was quite fit to continue on duty, .and did not require relief/ till r eleven o'clock. Tho Railway Commissioners have received many messages of condolence, including one from Lord Dudley (GovernorGeneral), and State Governors. Sympathetic reference was made in the Federal Parliament, and the S&te Assembly adjourned as a mark of sympathy with the sufferers. Mr. Hannah, speaking to the motion for adjournment, declared that.it was lime something was dop.G. to bring home -to the public the Perilous condition of the railways. Several' men have been suspended, but he never saw any mention of the Railway Commissioners—whOj were really respon-sible--being suspended. Up to last night 187 claims had been received by -the Commissioners. ANCIENT ROLLING STOCK. MATCHWOOD CARRIAGES. " Melbourne, July 20. Some of the carriages composing the wrecked trains were taken over from the Hobson's Bay Railway Company, and had been in use. for over 40. years. It was. in these carriages where ;the loss of life'occurred. The modern . carriages, which were nearer* the engines, received a heavier shock, but suffered little; the older carriages collapsed like smashed matchwood,.' 'V INQUIRIES IN LONDON. ; London, July 19. Many- inquiries are being made in London-as to the names of those injured in the Richmond disaster. . INQUEST OPENS. .MATTER TO BE PROBED TO THE BOTTOM. 1 , (Rec. July 20, 10.55 p.m.) Melbourne, July 20. The inquest into the Richmond disaster has opened before the Coroner and a' | jury of seven, all of whom acted in a similar capacity in connection-'with' the*. Sunshine accident in 1908. The Coroner announced that he proposed to probe all the circumstances to, the bottom in the interests' of the State and the public. . After evidence as to identification in one case, the inquiry was adjourned to August 22. _ 1 Subsequently the jury viewed the wrecked trains and the scene of the accident. CORONER'S DELAY OBJECTED TO. DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT. (Rec. July 21, 0.40 a.m.) Melbourne, July 20. in the State Legislative Assembly Mr. Prendergast, leader o£ the Labour party, strongly objected to the inquiry into tho Richmond accident being postponed for a month. . The matter, he. deckred, demanded immediate investigation., The Premier (Mr. Murray) agreed to this view, and undertook that the Attorney.General .would consult with the coroner with a view to expediting the inquiry.