TRAM SMASH.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 January 1920, Page 4

TRAM SMASH.

EXPERT'S EVIDENCE.

AA'ELLINGION, January 16

The tram inquiry was continued today. Constance Kitehing a passenger on the ill-fated car, said as far as she remembered the car did not stop at the compulsory stop on the city side of the tunnel. It was when just before .Austin St. that Mrs Evans called out that the motorman had fallen down. John William Range another passenger, a former conductor in the employ of the Tramways Department said that the car emerged from the tunnel mouth very slowly and proceeded steadily on past the stop. He did not know whether the conductor gave the bell a ring for the driver to proceed from there. Tt went at the usual speed towards the Austin Street stop, and there was nothing to indicate that it was going to stop here; thence it seemed a fair speed. He noticed people standing up after passing Austin Street. Replying to questions the witness said that the car did not slow down at Austin Street. 'Hie application of the brakes by the conductor had no apparent effect. The first indication that something was wrong was given when the car passed Austin Street without stopping.

Mr Neave: The car could have travelled the rest of the distance from the place where the speed was increased if brakes had been kept on. AVitness: I don’t think so.

Mr Neave explained that his suggestion was that although the motorman,- Small, had become incapacitated the fact that lie had put on the brakes at the top of the hill would have carried the car around the foot of the hill in safety unless tha brakes were accidentally released or were defective. The witness continuing, said that neither he nor other conductors were ever trained in the use of the magnetic and air brakes. He had been told about dislodging the trolley poll in case of emergency.

Alexander McStay, another passenger, said that the car did not slew down or pull up at any point after leaving the tunnel. Duncan MfcGilling, Superintendent of the Wellington Tramways, said that from an examination made, before the bodies were removed he found the controller with the power handle missing. The magnetic brake was on one notch, and the handle of the air brake on the release position. He placed little importance on the position of the handle or the brakes at this time, owing to the fact that the impact of he car at the time of overturning might have altered them.