A DANGEROUS HABIT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1949, 5 January 1914, Page 6

A DANGEROUS HABIT.

LEANING OVER THE TOP-SIDE OF

DOUBLE-DECKERS,

INQUEST AND A RID>B.

An inquest was held by Sir. J. S. Evans at the Magistrates jC'ourt on Saturday into the death of Tram Conductor ltandolph Oliphant Stewart, who met his death as the result of injuries received through his head coming in contact with a centre-polo when leaning over the edge of tho top of a doubledecker car on Wednesday'last.

Mr. J. O'Shea appeared on behalf of the City Corporation, while Senior-Ser-geant jVlullany appeared on behalf of tho police.

Thomas Simm Evans, conductor of tho car (No. 36), testified that he saw tho deceased join tho car at John Street and go to the upper deck. When he (witness) went upstairs ho saw Stewart lying across a seat. Ho immediately picked him up. Ho could see by the abrasion that ho had been struck. There were two ladies and too boys also on tho,upper deck* Deceased was carried downstairs practically unconscious, and tho car was run hack to Dr. Cameron's.

Dr. Fraser, senior house surgeon at tho Wellington Hospital, stated th.it Stewart was in an unconscious condition when he was brought to the hospital. There was a small bruiso on tho back of his head and one on tho temple. Deceased did not recover eonseiou'sness, and died at 3.15 the same day from concussion of tho brain.

A small boy, Hubert Underbill, who witnessed tho accident, stated that ho saw deceased como up on top of the car, and lean over when it was going at' a fair rate of speed. His head hit against ono of tho nosts, and his hat was knocked off. Tho boy stated ho did not know why deceased leaned over, nor did he' hear him speak before or after the accident. IS THE PUBLIC CAUTIONED? In answer to a question by tho Coroner, Mr. O'Shea stated that*there were no notices that he knew of posted up in regard to the dagner of leaning over the sides of cars. A verdict of accidental death was returned, no blame being attachable to anyone. A rider was added, stating that the City Corporation should consider tho question of placing wanting signs on the cars against passengers leaning over the sides of the cars.