SHUNTING INQUIRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2925, 20 August 1925, Page 2

SHUNTING INQUIRY.

BOARD OPENS SITTINGS. CONDITIONS IN' PALMERSTON YARD. The Railway Board, set up to in - ves ligate ilie .shunting conditions at Palmerston North and elsewhere, commenced its sitting- yesterday. I he hoard consists of Mr J. Brown. District Traffic Manager, Wanganui (chairman): Mr 11. L. S. Smith. Assistant Railway Engineer, Auckland; Mr. .1. E. Perry, shunter. Dunedin; and Mr. S. Schofield, shunter Christchurch, representing the A.S.R.S. Mr. AT. .J. Mack secrei'ary of the A.S.R.S., i> advoente representing the men, Mr \Y. .J. Robertson, coaching foreman, Palmersion North, represents the local foreman. in regard to whose competency certain allegations were made at the Ooroninl inquiry into the death of the late Shunter Carmichael, who died of injuries received in an aoeident in the loeal yard. The order of reference reads: "The hoard is set up to impure into and report regarding the conditions of work of shunters in the Railway Department, as affecting the hazard involved in the performance of their duties, having regard more particularly to the following factors: — (1) The length of shifts shunters are required to work; (2) the numbers of employees composing thes hunting gangs; (3) the lime allowed for the work of making up trains: (4) the supervision afforded on shunters’ work: (o) the general control op work in shunting yards; ( H) the lighting of .-.hunting yards: (7) the lay-outs ami proposed lay-out of shunting yards: (S) tin l drainage of shunting yards; (!») the unit ter of employees inexperienced in shunting work being employed thereon; (10) generally. other matters which affect the conditions of the work of shunter- bearing on the risks involved in lheir employment. Mr. Maek at the outset, said he understood the chief duties of the board were to inquire into the death of shunter Carmichael, and ascertain whether shunting, always a dangerous occupation, could not be made safer limn it at present appealed at Palmerston North. Tie understood that cerium allegations bad been made against certain local officials, who to a degree would be on their trial. lit l deemed it only fair that they should be represented bv an advocate. He proceeded to detail the evidence be proposed to call.

The cliaii man explained tbar Air. Robert .-.on was represent ing the officials. against whom certain allegation-. had been made. Wulkin William Roberts, the first witness, said he had nine years 7 service in the Department. He came to Palmerston sixteen months ago as shunter, although he had had no previous experience as such in a yard. After describing the accident. which had happened to Carmichael. witness said the conditions in the shunting yard were mu congenial to the men. Carmichael and the foreman nagged one another, and the nagging upset Carmichael, who was always dismissing the attitude of the foreman. Carmichael was nervous and highly strung above the average. The drainage of the yard was not all that could he desired, and there was not a plentiful supply of good handlamps. The lighting of the yard could be considerably improved. Owing.to the condition of the yard, witness had asked to In- reduced to tablet porter, rather limn take the t i-ks of a shunter.

In reply to the chairman witness denied that there was shunting experience at tablet stations. To Mr. Robertson witness said that other men who had eotne after him had made good as shunters. Witness, detailing what lie deemed a proper course of instruction in shunting at Palmerston North, slatted that before one was placed in a responsible position a second man .-'liould be i-ertilied as efficient. Such a system would give all a chance to become prolieienl. Malcolm Firth, a shunter, who who was mi duty at the time of the accident, -aid Hu* cause of the fatality was a slack tail rope catching the point.- lever. He detailed the attitude of the foremen in terms similar to the previous witness. Mr. Mack: Do you think the harassing methods of the foreman caused, him to take unnecessary risks ! Witness: Yes

Do yon think that harassing by Do Rosa was directly or indirectly contributory to the accidentf — ‘■That is a hard question, but all the same 1 think it did. Carmichael was excited at times when tiying to get work done. His anxiety in i hat respect made him do things that in oilier circumstances he would not have done.

Ernest Lepper, who at the time of the tragedy was acting as brakeman, stated that lie had been over live years in the Palmerston North yard- and practically all that time on shunting. He corroborated the statement as to harassing and overhearing methods by foremen 15 weene.v and De Rosa. The supply of hand lamps was bad and the drainage of the yards also. Better lighting of the yard was required and would eliminate much of the risk of night work. Dr. D. H. Bett expressed satisfaction with the attention received by deceased, whose case was hopeless from tire first. Steps should be taken u> have railway stretchers made to lit the ambulance. William Whit, lineman on the engine, also gave evidence as to the

cause of he accident and disabilities of the yard.

Percy Edward Tapp staled that lie had (H years’ experience in the Palmerston North yards, and was practically head shunter. Deceased was of a nervous disposition and easily excited. The foreman, De Rosa, had said that he had better keep an eye on Carmichael, otherwise the latter would be killed. Witness himself had had trouble with -Sweeney and differences with De Rosa. Occasionally also there were “flutters” between the foremen themselves. After enumerating dclicieneies in respect of the drainage and lighting of the yards, witness said that trains were not reasonably marshalled, nor were trucks even grouped. There was not sullieent room for efficient work in the yards.

Tn reply to the chairman, witness said that the supervision ot the yards could be improved. Shifts should not exceed eight hours. Ihe present system of instruction of shunters could be much improved. A man in charge of a gang had no time to teach them.

To Mr. Smith, witness stated that the yards often suffered inconvenience through the promotion and transfer of men acquainted with local working conditions. Edmond O’Dea, now a shunter alter seven years as tablet porter, deposed that be was not instructed in the work. Foremen could give shunters a little more assistance than they did. The inquiry was adjourned till to-da v.