RECENT TRAM ACCIDENT AT CHRISTCHURCH

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 127, 31 May 1919, Page 4

RECENT TRAM ACCIDENT AT CHRISTCHURCH

/ INQUIRY RESUMED,

(BI TELEGRAM.—PRESS ASSOCIATES.)

OHRISTGHURCH, 30th May.

Tho inquiry into the death of William Samuel Bruntou, 47 years of age, -who 'died as the result of injuries received in the recent tram smash, was resumed before the Coroner, Mr. S. B. M'Carthy.

Motorman Read said he entered the points at six miles an hour, and then built up speed again. When he felt a jar he applied tht> brakes and pulled ui> in a, car's length. The tram was overloaded. Tho trailers had no independent brakes. ■ ■

Conductor Baunton, who was on the first trailer, said that on noticing that the trailer was,derailed he gave the danger signal. The cars were overloaded and, the trailer which overturned was carrying at least 90 passengers.

The Coroner: . How many passengers are the cars licensed to carry? Mr. Johnston (counsel for the Tramways Union): That is the trouble, sir. They are not licensed. Witness went on to say that in his opinion another conductor on the second trailer would have obviated the accident Ho would know as soon as the trailer left the rails and signn! the fact., Percy I). Tonkin and Thomas W. Martin, passengers, gave it as'their opinion that the tram was travelling too fait. Kdward C. Farr, of the t'uUic 'Works Department, said he had examined l-h<; points, which appeared to b« m'peri'crt working! order. He eouJd ascribe r.o cause for the car leaving one line and going on to the other. ■ '■ . J. E. M'Eniiis.: District Engineer of the Public Works Department, gave it as his opinion that excessive speed,-together with the jolting or rolling of the end trailer, caused the car to leave the rails. The inquiry was adjourned ■