TRAM MEN'S RISKS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1505, 30 July 1912, Page 6

TRAM MEN'S RISKS.

THE TWO TRAGEDIES. CONDUCTOR M'KAY'S DEATH, CAR FOOTBOARDS. X PROCEEDINGS AT INQUEST* y- It is hardly too much to say,that' the feeling of a largo section o£ residents of the' city has been'moved on learning the full extent of the very distressing circum- ■ stances surrounding the death' of Conductor Ambrose M'Kay, who lost his life by falling from the footboard of the car of ; which he was in charge on Friday even'ing in Manners Street. •It was not deenv ed safe to comrhunicate the news to Mrs. M'Kay when the event was first known, but, as it was impossible to withhold it indefinitely, the sad event was communicated to her (while still in a. delicato state of health) on Sunday. The funeral of the deceased conducio'r . took place yesterday morning, the cortege proceeding from the mortuary cliapel of Messrs. K. H. Wilson and Sons to tho place of interment at the Karori Cemetery. The snd fatality had made a profound impression in the tramway service, and the afternoon shift attended to a man, the number being close on 200. The arrangements wero carried out by the Tramway Union, and the Tramway Band was present in force. The Town Clerk (Mr. J. 'E, Palmer) represented the Mayor (Mr. D. M'Laren), and among others preEo'nt were: Mr. AV. H. Morton (City Engineer and chairman of the Tramway Board), Mr. M. Cable (traffic manager), Mr.- James (assistant traffic manager), and Mi , . Leah (superintendent of the car-shed). Deceased had at ono time been a member of the Imperial forces, serving with the colours in South Africa in the Cameron Highlanders, and, in consequence, the Defence Department was represented by a' detachment of Permanent Artillery, ■who acted as pall-bearers. The. service Itras conducted by the Rev. Wm. Shirer. Naturally, the two fatalities which have befallen conductors recently on the city trams have not passed without the question of raising relief funds being considered. These movements arc at present only taking shape. In the case of the late Conductor Hancock, a subscription list opened by the niotormen and conductors in tho sprvice shows a total to date of .£2O Bs. 6t1., and the proprietors of the . Star Theatre are moving in this direction ,elso. The Tramways Band are desirous of assisting in any wrfy possible, and tho Wellington Dramatic , Club are likewise offering their services. It is understood that further steps are pending with referince to both cases. ".,....