TRAMCAR CONDUCTORS' DEATH.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1867, 29 September 1913, Page 8

TRAMCAR CONDUCTORS' DEATH.

GOVERNMENT INQUIRY. UNDER PUBLIC WORKS ACT. All inquiry under tho Public Works Act will bo held by Dr. A. 11' Arthur, S.M., this morning, into tho circumstances surrounding the death of Conductor Broeden, who met with a fatal accident w'liilo employed on 0110 of the city ,tramcars oil tho Oriental Bay lino recently. Notioe has been given to tho Mayor of Wellington, who has been tcquosted to arrange that tho City Corporation bo represented at tho inquiry, and that the Tramways Manager., tho council's Electrical Engineer, audi such other officers as tho Magistrate may think necessary bo present. Tho secretary of tho Wellington Tramwayß Union has also been informed of tho inquiry, and told that his union may bo represented. Sections 217 and 219 of tho Publio Works Act give tho Magistrate) ample power to inquire into all accidents, including railways and tramways. Tho inquiry will bo held for tho pmposo of ascertaining the following facts: — (1) Whether the said l 1 rank Breedon lost his life through tho default, negligence, or carelessness of tho Wellington City Council, or of any officer employed by tho same, or through his own negligence, or default, or through the negligence or default of any other person. (2) Whether the tramway car on which the accident occurred, together with the machinery connected therewith, were fit and safe for public traffic. (3) Whether the track on which tho tramway car ran or the overhead equipment in connection therewith were in. proper order and safe and fit for publio traffic. (4) Whether in tlio event of a finding that the deceased did not probably loso his life by his own negligence or default, but through some fault in tho construction or equipment of tflae tramway or of the rolling stock, plant, or machinery in. connection therewith, what stops should in the Magistrate's opinion be taken to prevent accidents in tho future similar to the one by which tho deceased lost 'his life.