DANGERS OF SHUNTING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2922, 13 August 1925, Page 3

DANGERS OF SHUNTING.

HARASSING METHODS ALLEGED. CORONER ASKS FOR PUBLIC INQUIRY. The inquiry into the eircumsfnnshunter, Thomas Carmichael, who died as a result of injuries received at the Palmerston North railway yards, was conducted before Mr. A. J. Graham (Coroner) yesterday and attracted more than the usual amount of public interest. The railymen made it the occasion to ventitatc serious complaints of the method of working I lie yards amt to protest against alleged harassing tactics on the part of the foreman of the vards.

Mr. A. M. Onglev represented the A.S.R.S., while Mr. L. A. Voltz, of Wellington, appeared on behalf of the Railway Department. After flie bearing of lengthy evidence the Coroner returned a verdict of accidental death aim stated that he did not propose to comment, at length upon the evidence, except to say that in view of the evidence given by Lepper and corroborated by other witnesses whose sincerity and truthfulness he had reason to doubt, if was not to be \ondercd at that there was a state of unrest existing among the men of the railway service. The mimbe.' of accidents that had happened to shunters in various parts of the Dominion was not entirely due to the fault of the men, hut indicated that there was something radically wrong with the system. Whether it was due la the incompetence "f the shunters themselves or (he foreman in charge, he was not prepared to say as it was a matter entirely for (he Department. The evidence showed that they lacked training and that incompetent shunters were engaged in extremely dangerous work. TTe felt that the relations existing between the shun levs and two of the foremen were not conductive to tbc welfare of the men. He was strongly of the opinion that in the interests of the Railway Department, and the men of the service, a public inquiry should be instituted into the work of shunters more particularly with reference to the working of the Palmerston North yards. The delay in telephoning - for the doctor was regrettable, and tbc lack <>.l first aid knowledge on the part of (lie railwav - stall was deplorable. lie thought the intentions of Foreman Robertson were of the best, but be con-

sidered lie showed a little lack of sympathetic consideration tor the injured man. The stretchers too, should he of such uniform pattern that they would fit the ambulance as well as the railway vans.