DANGEROUS FOOT BOARDS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1978, 7 February 1914, Page 12

DANGEROUS FOOT BOARDS.

*——h> ■ ■ ■■* DEATH OF PRANK BREEDEN. Tlie report submitted to tho Minister of Public Works by tho late Dr. tliur, S.M., regarding tho inquiry conducted by Jjim into the ■circumstances SuiToiincling the death of Conductor; Franli; I'Jreeilen, who was killed by falling frorn a tranjujar in Oriental Bay in September last Was before tho fcity Council on Tuesday. -In the opinion <jf Br. M'Art-bur, Breoden fell off tho step wlirla passing along the footboard in the execution or his duty in collecting fares. .Under all the CTj-eumstattees, iss disclosed by evidence:, lie coftM -describe- the accident only as a eaciof misadventure- arising from the necessity of a conductor having to pass along an oute'de- stop in order to collect Faros, Tlu evidence wa* that the car and tho track ivere iii geod order, and that the curve where deceased fell #as n«t But Dr. M'ArtrUir nj.skcs tho following remarks about tho side-step of footboard: "In my opinion a passage should bo raaole through all cars' by ivhicji the conductor may pass when ha collects fares. Ho should, not bo called upfen ib go outeHe- for that .purpose. The ears should ho converted' in the shortest possible time,-regardless of inconvenience -or expense. Hiiinan * life is sacred, and iio mail, should be called upon to risk his' life if by. .any means sus'li risk may'.bo ayoidc-dV Tho safety of tho. public is all important, hut it must not bo forgotten that conductors and all employees form ft portion of- the public, and are entitled to'ah. equal dogreo of safety, consistent with their cntployment. All oafs- should bo provided with th.l©U»ili -passages as quickly as possible. There should be no delay on the .ground of inconvenience or expenw'; or oh any ground ivhstovcr." Ho added also a recoinnietida'tion that no curve should bs taken ait a speed oSceediujs teil mtle3 an hour.