THE LATE RAILWAY ACCIDENT AT THE RUMATAKA.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume II, Issue 156, 17 September 1880, Page 3

THE LATE RAILWAY ACCIDENT AT THE RUMATAKA.

The jury after two hours deliberation found that the deaths were purely accidental, caused by the train being blown off' the line, and that no blame was attached to any one. They added the following riders:— “I. That, in the opinion of the jury, the Government should take immediate action, by the construction of windsheds or other protective means, to prevent so far as possible the recurrence of similar accidents on the dangerous parts of the incline, and that direct telegraph communication be at once established between the Summit and Kaitoke.

“2. Tliat the gravest censure be passed on the witness Quin for the statement he made, without any corroborative evidence, that the driver and stoker were in possession of a bottle of brandy before the accident, that they were new hands, and that the carriages were not properly coupled: especially as the evidence shows that the driver and the stoker were perfectly sober; and instead of being new hands they had been engaged working the engines on the incline for the last eighteen months; and that on the occurrence of the accident the railway authorities and their employesrendered every assistance in their power; the jury are also of opinion from the evidence adduced that the management of the line is most efficient.” — Post.