CHRISTCHURCH TRAM ACCIDENT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 211, 31 May 1919, Page 8

CHRISTCHURCH TRAM ACCIDENT

. * — KKSUiUHMON OF THE INQUIRY. By TelenrapH— l'reee Aeancitition Christchurch, Jtay .10. The iiu|uir.v into the death of William Samuel Jiniiilon. 47 years of age, who died as the, result-of injuries reuciveU in the recent tram smash, was resumed before tho Coroner, Jlr. S. K. JL'Cartliy. Jlolorman Jtewd said lie entered the points at six miles an hour, and then built up speed nsain. When he felt a jar ho applied the brakes and pulled up in A car's leiißlh. The tram was overloaded. The trailers had no independent brakes. Conductor liaunton, who was •on tho first trailer, said that on noticing that the trailer was derailed he k»v« ihe danger signal. The cars were overloaded ami lIn; trailer which overturned was corryiii" nt, least, III) passengers. The Coroner: How many passengers r.Ve the cars licensed to carry? 111 , . Johnston (counsel for Ihe Tramways Union): That is the trouble, .sir. They nru not licensed. W'llness went on to say that in his opinion another conductor on the eicoix trailer would have obviated the aeeident. lie would know as soon as the toiler left the rails and signal the fuel. Percy I), Tonkin and Thomas,W. Mar< tin, passengers, nave it as their opinion that Ihe tram was (ravcllin» 100 last., Kdward C. Fa it. of the I'lihlir. "Works Department, ,-uid he had examined tin , points, which appeared lo be in perfect working order.. 110 could ascribe no iiaiiso for the ear leaving one line ami yoiii!,' on to vlio other. ,T. I , !. M'Miuiis, District ■ Knginee,) , oflliO , Public Works Department, gave it as l:is opinion that excessive speed. toyiMlier with the jolting or rolling of Ihe eml trailer, caused the car In leave the rails, The im(iiiry was ;i'!journcil.