THE TUNNEL ACCIDENT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8750, 26 February 1907, Page 2

THE TUNNEL ACCIDENT.

The Inqrssi Press Association. Wellington, February 25. The inquiry concerning the deaths of Barrett, Harrington and Elio, who were ‘ killed by a fail of earth in the Kilbirnie tunnel on Friday night, was continued to-day and this evening before the District Coroner. An engineer was present on behalf of tho Public Works Department, j

Evidence was given by tho men who had worked jn the tunnel, concerning tho methods adopted in putting in timbers and in taking them away. They all agreed that every care was taken, though one said some of the bars were lighter than he had seen used in similar works in England. When the king-post was taken from the timbers early in the evening everything seemed secure.

An inspector of works for the Corporation said that, while he considered the timber as a whole was strong enough, he bad about’ten weeks ago pointed out that timber, which was then being utilised at the scene of the accident, was not strong enough. Stronger timber was then secured. There was bad earth at this particular spot. In his opinion the accident occurred through the side lengths between the sills being taken out without other supports being put in before the sills were removed. The sills were not let into the earth at each side sufficiently to prevent lateral movement.

Mr Maguire, contractor, said his foremen controlled tho details of the work and were given anything they asked for, if they had wanted Oregon logs for timbering they conld have had them.

The City Engineer said every precaution had been taken on the works. The cause of the accident, ho thought, was the removal ot the horizontal spreader securing tho traverse timbering. Mr Hay, Engineer of tbo Public Works Department, agreed with this theory. In his opinion the timber used was weak. Tho Jury returned a verdict that death was accidental, adding a rider that there was not sufficient expert supervision exorcised on the works during night shifts. _____