OPAPA TRAIN SMASH

Hokitika Guardian, 20 November 1925, Page 3

OPAPA TRAIN SMASH

.MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE. FURTHER EVIDENCE. [nv tkr, I:or\nr — rEtt tiiess association'.] NAPIER. November 19. At the enquiry into the Opapn train smash further evidence was given as follows : The Crown contended the speed of the train was excessive and that liquor was taken aboard. P. W. Peters evidenced lie estimated the sliced of the train down hill was far in excess ol 25 miles per hour. Other witnesses who were on the train stated the speed of the train was greater than usual, one saying it was a terrific speed. Another said the Ira in behaved like a ship in a rough sea. Two other witnesses said the speed increased after the train left Woodvillo for Xaoior.

Nixon, a jockey, said he timed the train’s speed by a stop-watch and a mile was covered In 70 seconds.

A witness standing near the line some minutes before, the smash said lie saw three persons in the engine cab. Others testified as to having seen a man in a dark suit and no hat leave the cab at. Ormondville and proceed to an hotel, returning thence to the first, carriage of the train carrying several bottles. Some witnesoss declared this man to he Marshall.

The hearing was adjourned fill tomorrow. ft is expected to last three davs.

Al AN'S I-A UGIITER, CHARGE. NAPIER. Nov. 20. The manslaughter charge was eontinned. diaries Frame, a jockey, said he saw Marshall leave the train at Ormomlville where he entered a hotel, reluming with bulges apparent under his coat. .Marshall got <ut the platterm 1 f the front carriage", hut did not ('liter the carriage. .Marshall's return was alter the guard had twice blown his whistle, after which the train started. He estimated the speed down hill at 15 to 50. It was so rapid that water from the engine was splashed on the front of the carriage. David AYilson. postal clerk, said when the whistle blew the man who wont to the hotel and returned, left the carnage ami got. on the engine. He could not recognise the mat. again. The train waited seven minutes at Ormomlville. lint the usual lime was about three minutes. Wilfred Alexander, railway engine driver, said when the express passed I,im at Ala luma. three men were in the call, .Marshal! being one of them. A school buy said he saw a third man in the cabin at llatuma. lie stood in the entrance a,ml waved Ins hand to another engine as the train passed. John Gardiner. Rorough Inspector at Waipiihiirau. said the train approached Waipukitrau more slowly titan usual. This attracted his attention. When the train cleared the crossing ho "inv a mail walking towards the hotel nearby. Matthew (bind, rail wav porter, said the train approached slower than usual.