ONGARUE INQUIRY.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 July 1923, Page 4

ONGARUE INQUIRY.

[nv tei.koHaiti —run rnnss association.] A I'CK LAND. July 2.1. Tile in>|iiiry into the Maui I milk disaster was continued at Auckland. William Harding. Ntitioiimastcr. gave evidence that he examined the train before it left Auckland station. Everything was in order. James Maokley (locomotive engineer nf Auckland) replying to a- question, said In- did !ioi think the making oi Ike ends of carriages solid, would minimise the effects of such accidents. .lames Faniuhar (a passenger) said the wounded were removed from the wreckage as expeditiously as possible. Everything was done to alleviate Milfaring. Several train examiners at stationeu route, said tile train was in good order. 'lr ||. It. Mackenzie (chairman u the Aimklaml Harbour Board) said that evervibine was done to forward the uninjured passengers after the accident. Henry l’cr.-y llnllson. guard on the i,i,in. id llu'il lbe spaed was between oq 111 , ■ | o; miles an hour. There were sqlji, lent tools In keep all going until the relief train arrived.. When undamaired i arris'!' - were taken back to On-

panto il "as owes- try to |'imt|> no the i \ :iii.lor--, to n-lease the brakes, "l.owj ;lu that iliev were sliil bolding three Ia,UI- alter the impact, lie was going t , -n U 'j".l In ibe Department that the break-down loal set in the vans should be duplicated. Tic evidence of the engine-driver. Alex K. Stewart, was taken at Ills residence. as he was not iit to apoear. lie stated the brakes were tested al I'nrnnmrao. and were satisfactory. The train passed Ougariie at W> mile- an hour. Then he shut oil' steam, and drilled ; 1 1 • 111 it el a he. q l '.III miles an hour, but lb - sp.’i'd n.iglii have iueivascd In dtl mile— by l!m line' the engine si ruck l he slip. The headlight was burning well. 11, (!i| in.,[ see anything I alum running into the slip, lie applied the I ra :e immediately the engine appeared in si l ike a heavy stone. He was tossed about. After travelling some distance, the engine was thrown into the bank. Witness was struck on the head and rendered unconscious. The door ol the smoke box must have been struck hv a large stone in pa-sing. I he witness knew the line as well a- the best, lie bid been running on it for .yi""

He did not regard tbit part dangerous, and wht n corning to cmngeroii'j parts took extra precautions. TTe did not consider'there was any ne< cv-ity Tv do so bore. His impression was that the slip came down immediately bciore the train came along. lie ’thought the vibration of the train had a gic.'.t deal to do with the slip coining down. The inquiry was adjourned to Wellington sine die.