AUCKLAND TRAM DISASTER. THE ENQUIRY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XII, Issue 1085, 31 December 1903, Page 2

AUCKLAND TRAM DISASTER.

THE ENQUIRY.

Per Press Association. Auckland, last night. The inquest on the victims of the tramway fatality was resumed to-day. The first witness was Edward Freeman, who said his attention was attracted by screams from the passengers of the doubledecker immediately before the collision. He said the combination car was forced inside tho double-decke. Lindsay was jammed between tho two. He was released by a third oar dragging the combination car out of the other by means of a rope.

Charles Morris, a passenger on top of the double-decker, said the trolley arm came off the wire when the car had gone downhill six lengths. He saw no rope attached to the trolley arm, which thrashed round in a circle from end to end of the ear, endangering the lives of the passengers. Ho heard a scream and saw the trolley arm rising from the direction where Mias Hogarth had been sitting. He did not see the conductor during the whole time, although he saw one collecting fares on front of the top deck before the ear started to run back. Sevoral passengers attempted to grasp the swinging pole, but did not succeed. After the collision witness asked a conductor why he did not take charge of affairs. The conductor replied that he could do nothing. Mr Tole, solicitor, expressed regret that the company should have removed the wrecked cars so prematurely bofore the jury had had an opportunity of viewing them.

Mr Hansen, managing director, replied that they had no right to leave them on the track. They were too heavy to be moved on to the side of the road. The cars were practically in the same condition ab on Thursday night. Only the wreckage had been removed. The brakes had been untouched.

At the suggestion of the jury, made on Saturday, the police had the cars examined by an independent expert, and Mr Tole stated he would employ another. Mr Brabant, S.M., said the jury were of opinion that the cars should not have been moved.

TIIE MOTORMAN’S EVIDENCE

“ ENOUGH TO DRIVE A MAN MAD.”

!(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last night* At the inquest this afternoon, Frederick Humphrey, the motorman on the car which bolted, stated that ■before commencing duties as motorman, he had a training for a fortnight under another motorman. Witness was not a regular hand, hut had driven double-deckers on several occasions? and the machinery and brakes were explained to him. Witness explained what occurred on the occasion of the accident. He admitted that he was a bit confused when he found the brakes would not act and the passengers became excited. It was enough to drive a man mad. He complained to the motor inspector that day of the stiffness of the brake, but the inspector said it was all right. After making the round of the car, he did not think anyone else would have done more than he did.