OPAPA DISASTER

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3010, 13 March 1926, Page 3

OPAPA DISASTER

COMMISSION SATISFIED,

The Royal Commission, comprising Messrs. W. G. Riddell, S. M., J. Marchbank, and W. D. Hunt, set up to inquire into and report on the causes of the disaster to the Wel-lington-Napier express train near Opapa station on September 22, 1925, sat again on Thursday after on adjournment from last October. “Since the Commission last sat,” said Mr. W. G, Riddell, “the proceedings have been brought a step further, in that the driver of the train lias been charged with manslaughter and a conviction enteredngainst him.” “The position we took up at the outset,” said Mr. M. Myers, K.C., who appeared for the Department “was that we would call further evidence as to the condition of the track and rolling stock and the time-table, because it was necessary the public should have the fullest information as to the cause of the disaster in order that their anxiety, if theire was any anxiety, should be allayed. But the Commission will remember w T e carefully refrained from saying anything as to the speed of the train or the cause of the disaster that would in any way prejudice the enginedriver, who was then in hospital. We had our own view of course. A certain part of the evidence given by Professor Scott was, by courtesy of the Press, not made public. It was obvious, however, that if Professor Scott’s conclusions were cerrecf there could only be one cause to which the disaster could be attributed. The next thing was that the driver of the train was arrested and charged with manslaughter, and has now been convicted. The evidence that was to have been called by the Crown was the same evidence as that given at the trial in the Supreme Court in Napier. We already have the evidence of Professor Scott, and with that evidence alone the board may have come to the same conclusion. The evidence given at' Napier confirms the conclusions of Professor Scott. What I propose to do now is to hand a copy of the notes of evidence taken at that trial to the board. It seems to me nothing more will be required. If the board deems it necessary for further witnesses to be brought they will be brought. The Commission’s sitting was advertised, but apaprentlv no "one else has desired to give evidence.” _ j “The Commission is satisfied, said Mr. Riddell, after a short consultation with his colleagues, “that it would be a waste of time and expense to call further witnesses. The fact of the proceedings against the driver of the train and his being found guilty of negligence by the jury is only what was to be expected if the evidence taken by the Commission in the early stages was, in effect, correct.” “The Commission will consider the whole evidence as to the condition of the track and the rolling stock, and the speed of the train, and will report in due course. The Commission desires to thank all who have given evidence or assisted in any way. The Commission is now adjourned.”