BANKSIDE RAILWAY COLLISION

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2080, 15 May 1907, Page 3

BANKSIDE RAILWAY COLLISION

Press Association CHKIS'J’CH URCH, yesterday

Tlio Bunkside- enquiry was resumed to-day. Mr. James Meiklo, enginedriver, furthor examined by Mr. Harper, said Ids engine was between others when they came to tlio station, and ho could not got at it to oil. Ho complained ol' this to Smith, who said ho had just got a telegram about the breakdown. AVitnoss described everything ho did during the time ho was in tlio shod. Mo went to seo tho notice board, examined tho walls, and found nothing affecting his train. Later, whilo oiling and taking water, tho foreman, Barlcor, brought a circular. Meiklo was angry, and said ho did not think it a (footed witness, and witness put it in his pocket. Ho had to coal, oil, and water tho ongino, and it was impossible to do all this. Ho had to ta'ko risks, as all enginedrivers did, in the way of lotting things go. • For instance, he omitted examining tlio tools, which was a big risk if they had broken down. Ho was unable to oil tho logics, and left that work to' do at Ashburton. AVhon ho mot Guard Soaman tho latter wont to tho station-master, who came with a pocket-book and road cut a number of circulars, a great many more in number than witness’ circulars, for witless chocked thoin, and tho statiomnaster snid Seaman and ho wore all right. Ho kept a good look-out all tho way, and was careful lest ho overran tho special on ahead. On leaving Banksulo ho whistled approaching the bridgo, and as soon as ho saw lights approaching put dn the brake, thinking the train would stop before a collision took place. The brakes worked well, or not a soul would have remained alive. CHItISTCItUHCH, last night. At the conclusion of the Bankable railway inquiry to-day, Mr. Bishop, S.M., said his duty was simply to inquire into the cause of tho accident —not to report on railway administration. Mo had considerable personal sympathy with Driver Meiklo, but they could not get away from cortain salient points in connection with tlio case. If ho had to report, as counsel admitted ho must report, that the collision was clue to neglect, groat or small, on tlio part of tho driver and tho guard, the question of dealing with these officers as a result of that neglect must rost in the hands of the Minister. If- officers took circulars and did not read them they must admit they had done wrong. The only question was to what extent that wrong went. The inquiry would, no doubt, result in good to the general public, and probably also to railway servants generally, so that Meiklo would probably have to suffer for what would benefit, othors in the future. There wore regulations, and they had not been carried out. The Commission’s report would be sent on to the Minister,

THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

SOME SUGGESTIONS. Press Association. WELLINGTON, last night, Mr. Boucher, Government l’bmologist for the North Island, who went to California to investigate the fruit industry, in his report dealing with the subject' of fruit drying in California, says he' does not consider that the climatic conditions in any part ol New Zealand will admit of the production of first-class sun-dried fruit on extensive commercial lines. In the production and marketing of fruitdried by artificial heat, it would be well to consider the competition that has'to be"fiicocl. In California there are many districts where for many consecutive months there is no rainfall ancf hut little moisture in the atmosphere day or night. Such a climate is ideal for prododueing highgrade sun-dried fruit, and in districts where the different fruits are largely grown for the purpose, it is no uncommon tiling to see ten acres in one block covered with trays of fruit in

different stages of drying. The whole' process is so simple and inexpensive as almost to defy competition, except from countries with similar climatic conditions. Speaking of the fruit exhibits of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, which consists of specimens of agricultural and horticultural products, and some manufacturers’ articles, and such other exhibits as a rule indicate the general resources of the State. He suggests a permanent 'exhibit of a similar kind by New Zealand in London.