OPAPA TRAIN SMASH

Hokitika Guardian, 9 October 1925, Page 1

OPAPA TRAIN SMASH

THE t-TQITT.V

lIT TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT WELLINGTON, October S. The Commission to inquire into the accident to the Wellingtou-Napier express at Opapa opened this morning. The Chairman (Mr Riddell 5.. M.) stated the Commission had inspected the scene of the accident and the engine. The engine driver had been severely injured and was unable to ap|)oar. .‘liter technical ‘evidence the inquiry would adjourn till the driver could attend. Mr .Myers K.C., for the Department, said it would he improper for him to make any comments on the accident at this stage because he might do some injustice to the engine-driver or to others not represented. His instructions wore to assist the Commission in every way to ascertain the cause of the disaster. Ho did not suggest that anybody was at limit. Mr Dolan, of Napier, who was to represent the driver at the inquiry, had protested against, anv evidence whatever being taken until his client was able to appear, hut as the driver might he laid up another five or six week's, he (Myers) under the circumst am es was able to agree to the suggestion. He proposed, however, to lead only evidence of a general nature which he thought the public was entitled to know at the earliest possible opportunity. Frederick Charles M'iddup, Ghirl Engineer of the Railway Department, said the aceident occurred on a curve , I

chains depth, some sit. miles beyond Palmerston North. lie inspected on the following day. Where the engine left the line was well round the curve. With other oHicers, he carefully look-

ed for any sign of obstruction that might contribute to the derailment hut tailed to find any. lie could see nothing ill the track that would cause or contribute to tbo accident. It was a good piece ot track. The maximum speed prescribed lor a curve of 7.1 chains in depth was twenlvlivo miles, and that maximum had been in operation for the past eleven or twelve years. The mail train did not take so long now to go trom Wellington to Napier, as prior to the alteration made in regard to the maximum speed, on this or any other similar curve. Experience showed this was a safe .speed on these curves. To Mr Marchhnnks: The full caul was :V. inches which he considered sullirient for a speed of twenty-five miles an hour. The onlv check they hud on the speed of trains on curves was by checking the times and speed and reiving on the engine driver. There had. been a previous derailment of waggons near this point. From the evidence in that, instance, il was concluded that excessive speed on tilt* curve was the main cause of the accident.

Mr Gordon. Inspector of Permanent Ways, said the line was inspected the day before the accident, and everything was then all right.

Donald Morrison, Truitt hxatuinor. and |{ ieha rd Dixon, llrake insjK't’tor. for the North Island, sai<l tho train brakes worn in oood order. Allrod Harris, (tenoral Superintendent of Transput tat ion. with II years service, said the time for the journey from Wellington to Napier had been shortened so as to eivo a 1 letter service. The ehatijje was made after a eonsiiltation of the heads. The time was shortened front S hours I'd minutes to 7 hours fifteen minutes. It out out some stations, and shortened the tune the train stayed at others. 'The maximum speed was not exceeded. Ihe men were, not required to speed no to make up lost time. The inquiry was adjourned.