KILLED BY TRAM

Hokitika Guardian, 28 August 1930, Page 2

KILLED BY TRAM

CONDUCTOR OF BAND. (By Telegraph—Per Press Associations AUCKLAND, August 27. Head injuries, which caused his deatli in a few minutes, were received by Mr Christopher Smith, the conductor off the Auckland Municipal Band, when he was knocked down by a citybound tram car in Hobson Street tonight. “I saw Smith crossing the Street, and sounded the gong to warm him,” said the Motorman, J. Pollard. “He hesitated, and then stepped forward on to the line. I applied all the brakes, and although the car was pulled up almost immediately, Smith had been struck, and was underneath.” An examination showed that Smith was lying lengthways under the car the lower portion of his body being on the safety guard. He had to be lifted clear. An ambulance was called, and it was conveying the injured man to the hospital when lie died. The principal injury was a fracture of the base of the skull. The jaw and left arm were also hurt. The passengers on the car said it was not moving fast at the time, and that the motorman pulled up with great promptitude after the gong was sounded. A bandsman of over 40 years' experience, Mr Smith was appointed to organise the Municipal Band in July, 1924. He was selected from twentyeight applicants on account of his exceptional experience with famous hands and orchestras as player, trainer and conductor in England and Australia. He was for four years Conductor of the famous Bess n’ the Barn Bund. He leaves a widow and two adult children.