MAIN TRUNK DISASTER.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 678, 17 June 1914, Page 5

MAIN TRUNK DISASTER.

VERDICT OF CORONER. PORTER'S RESPONSIBILITY. DONALDSON CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER. The Coroner's finding in the inqueßt concerning the circumstances by which the three victims of the Main Trunk Bmash at Whangamarino met their death was delivered on Monday morning by Mr F. V. Fraser, S.M "I find," said the Coroner, "that Orton Stevens and C. Peterson died at Whangamarino on the 27th day of MBy, 1914, and that George Grimstone died at Hamilton on the same day, the cause of death in each case being injuries sustained as the result of a railway collision at Whangamarino on that day. "There is ample evidence that the south signal was standing at the safety or 'line clear' position, and that the expresß was travelling at a reasonable rate of speed. In no way can the driver, Stone, be held to have been in default, and he is accordingly,e xonerated from all blame. Indeed great credit is due to him and his fireman, Parlington, for the presence of mind they displayed in standing at their pcstß until the wrecked engine came to rest in the swamp, and then taking immediate measures to extinguish the engine fire and prevent further danger to life and property."

FAULTY SIGNAL ADJUSTMENT. "At the time the collision occurred the tablet porter, Donaldson, wto was in sole charge of the station, was holding down the points lever in order to allow the goods train to run into tbe siding. ' As the trucks of the goods train were between him and the express, he did not see or hear the express approaching, and was struck by the wreckage and rendered unconscious. An investigation made immediately after the collision by a number of witnesses showed that he had left the platform lever which operates the south signal properly locked in the danger, or'line closed,' position—that is, in the position in which it would normally hold the semaphore signal at danger—but that the signal itself was showing a full green light, indicating safety. Plainly the adjustment of the signal connections was faulty." UNAUTHORISED ALTERATIONS.

"An examination made at a later data by the chief signal and electrical engineer, Mr Wynne, revealed the fact tbßt Signal-adjuster Cruickshank had made certain alterations in the adjustment of the "signal apparatus in November last without the necessary authority froin his inspector, and, furthermore, had failed to report tha details of bis work, as required by the rules. Unfortunately, one of the alterations was the placing cf a 11inch reel at the top of the bank on which the signal post stands, and running a chain, which formed part of the signal conneetons, through the concave slot of this reel This was another breach of the regulations, as signal adjusters are strictly enjoined to use only standard D->ate-rails in their work, and the standard material for use in such a case is 8 6inch or 8-inch wheel, with a square slot for the chain to run over. The effect of the altreations was to create increased friction in the working of the connections, which had to be overcome by an undue tightening of the signal wire. This did not permit of sufficient allowance being made for the contraction of the 640 yards of wire on a co'd winter night, though it did not affect the working of the pignal under ordinary weather conditions. In the early morning of tha 27th May, during the fi'st really cold weather experienced since the alterations were made, the contraction of the already over-tight wire gradually pulled the signal "spectacle" over untill the full green light was shown, the controlling lever at the platform still remaining locked at the danger position. I am satisfied that but for this improper use of unauthorised material the contraction of the wire caused by a degree of eold likely to be experienced at Whangamarinu could not have affected tho signal to any appreciable extent." His Worship held that Cruickshank's failure to report was a serious breach of the regulations but hia action was not euch as to be construed as culpable negligence. In respect to Tablet-porter Donaldson's failure to inspect the signal there were aho extenuating , circumstances but these did not constitute sufficient excuse for Donaldson's lack of vigilence. CULPABLE NEGLIGENCE.

"For it ia conceivable that a signal might be pulled over by a cow fouling the wire, or by an evilly disposed person tampering with it. The rules of the Department, and the responsible nature of a signalman's duty alike demand high stan dard of vigilance and care. It is impossible to say that Donaldson, as the officer in charge of the signal, exercised such reasonable prudence and diligence as other officers similarly situated are ordinarily accustomed to use, and I must 6nd that the matters proved in his favour, do not operate as » sufficient excuse, thougn they are palliating circumstances, deserving full consideration. This is equivalent to finding that Donaldson's omission to verify the position of the south signal light at Whangamarino on the morning of May 27th constituted culpable negligence, in the sense in which that term is understood in the criminal law."

DONALDSON BEFORE THE MAGISTRATE. Immediately upon the rising of the Coroner's Court, Mr Fraser resumed the Bench in his magisterial capacity to hear a charge of manslaughter preferred by Chief Detective McMahon against Tablet-porter Donaldson. . .. -.

I Mr McMahon, on behalf of the police, asked for a remand till Tuesday, June 23rd. Mr Martin, appearing for Donaldon, agreed to the remand, and asked for the fixing of moderate bail for his client. The Magistrate: I will fix bail in what will be a nominal earn in a case of thia kind. One surety of £IOO or two of £SO. The sureties were immediately forthcoming, and the Court adjourned.