SYDENHAM RAILWAY DISASTER

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 50, 28 February 1901, Page 2

SYDENHAM RAILWAY DISASTER

THE INQUEST.

STARTLING REVELATIONS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—CopyrigW Sydney, Feb. 27.

At the inquest into tho Sydenham rail way disaster, tlic signalman’s record showed that the wrecked train loft Sydnoy on time, and passed Sydenham junction between a minute and a minute and a ho.lf ahead of time. The distance from Redfern station to Sydenham junction was three miles and twenty-one chains. Tho traffic inspector admitted that if tho signalman’s record was true, that the train passed Sydenham at the rate of sixty miles an hour.

The passengers in tlic train said that they had [travelled in England in trains going sixty miles an hour, and this ono was going faster than any they evor saw. Another witness, who arrived on the scene shortly after tho accident, swore that lie noticed that tho fish plate had opened the line slightly out of position. Where tho train ran off tho fish plate hold on instead of four bolts.

On the following Sunday lie accompanied a policeman and visited the spot, but found the sleepers and fishplates replaced. Mr Carruthcrs, Member of the Assembly, deposed to having travelled in the train following, and arrived a few minuftfs after the accident, and saw the fractured fishplate within a rail’s length of where the train ran off. With others ho visited tho spot on the following Monday, and everything that could have helped them to locate tho spot had been removed, and the repairs made. Tho railway officials admitted certain repairs had been made, but not till after the coroner and jury had been to the spot where.-the accident occurred. AUSTRALIAN WESLEYAN CONFERENCE. INDUSTRIAL SETTLEMENTS IN NEW BRITAIN. By Telegraph—Press Associaiiou—Copyright Sydney, Feb. 27. The Wesleyan Conference approved of the resolution providing for the establishment of a mission and industrial settlements at tho island of Uhi, New Britain. They have secured 515 acres, and intend planting cocoanut palms, and to bring over a band of New Ireland natives to work. TROOPSHIP MAPLEMORE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Sydney, Feb. 27. Arrived: The troopship Maplcmorc, from tho Cape. She leaves with tho first batch of the contingent on Wednesday for Westralia. THE CRUISER SYBILLE. THE COURT MARTIAL. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright London, Feb. 27. Tho court-martial to enquire into , the loss of the cruiser Sybille sentenced the lieutenant and navigating officer, Herbert 11. Hollant, and Lieut. Herbert Cayley to lose two years’ seniority and be dismissed the ship. They reprimanded Gunner James J. Tapper, and ordered him to lose six months’ seniority. Sub-Lieut. Alfred G. A. Street was also reprimanded. The Royal Visitors* THE CANADIAN TOUR. Per Press Association. Telegraph. Copyright Ottawa, Feb. 27. Sir Wilfrid Laurier is negotiating with tho object of orranging the Duko and Duchess of York’s return from Australia via the Ptcifie Coast, crossing Canada on the homeward journey to Halifax, Nova Scotia.