WATERSIDE ACCIDENTS COMMISSION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 215, 30 May 1918, Page 4

WATERSIDE ACCIDENTS COMMISSION

CONCLUSION OF LYTTELTON SITTINGS. By Telegraph—Press Associalion. Christchurch, May l>9. Tho Commission .investigating the onuses of accidents nn the waterfront concludod its sittings at Lyttellon today. John Hood, secretary of the local union, attributed the cause of most accidents to the excessive erze of slings or faulty gear. Jlc condemned Hie practice of allowing one man to drive two winches. In reply to a question as to whether waterside workers were doing as much work in a stated time as formerly, witness cave it as his opinion that the withdrawal of most of Iho competent wen from the waterfront for military service tended to snake men loth to Uko tho risks by placing ,«o much dependence urjon less experienced men. Evidence was given by representative of the shipping companies and others as lo inspections of gear, which it was contended was in good order. At tho conclusion of the sitting the. Hon. T. JI. Wilford, tho chairman of tho Commission, said it vouW.be impossible for the Commission to sit ill Port Chalmers, Bluff, Gisborrie, and Wnng.v jini. Jlatters that would have como under the Commission's notice at thoso sorts woiud hnvo to be dealt witli at Napier. ' The Commission adjourned until next Tuesday at Napier.