THE FEATHERSTONE RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2338, 14 September 1880, Page 3

THE FEATHERSTONE RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

INQUEST ON THE KILLED. [By Telegraph.] Wellington, Sept. 13. The inquest on the bodies of Ada Pliarazyn and James John Nicholas, who were killed through the railway accident, took place to-day at Featherstone, before Mr Spratt, Coroner. Mr W. 11. Bunny being chosen Foreman. Air Izard watched the evidence on behalf of the Government In the early portion of the day only the medical evidence was given, certifying to the cause of death. The jury viewed the bodies, and then adjourned to the scene of the disaster by special train from Fcatherstone, and on their return the inquest was adjourned to enable the jurors to attend the funeral of Mr C. Pharazyn’s daughter and Mr Nicholas’ son. There was a very large number of sympathisers from all parts of the province. Thu inquest was then resumed. Quinn, hotelkeeper, stated he was a passenger in the train with his wife and live children, lie noticed nothing until the train got about three chains from the second tunnel, when some gravel was blown against the side of the carriage from the front. Ho noticed the flrst carriage leave the rails, and he was then thrown down inside, the carriage fulling about fifty feet down the embankment. The carriage was on its side. In Ins opinion the wind was not the cause of the accident on this occasion, as he frequently experienced heavier wind. In reply to the foreman, he said lie attributed the disaster to the carriages not being properly coupled. He states he saw them uncoupled. Witness was very undecided on this point. He states he was told by a man named Montgomery that there were two new bands on the engine, and that they bad a bottle of brandy from Featlierstono, and the driver and fireman were the worse for liquor. Montgomery will he subpoenaed tomorrow and examined as to lids statement. This closed the proceedings until tomorrow. LATER PARTICULARS. Bishop, a carpenter, was one of those injured in the late railway accident, having an car cut off, and his face badly bruised. A telegram from Greytown, this morning, states that the injured arc progressing as favorably as could be expect ed. Mr Lawson, Commissioner of Railways held a private enquiry into the accident yesterday, for the purpose of submitting a report to the Minister of Public Works. It is understood that Air Lawson has issued instructions that •when there is any wind at all, trains going up the incline must have au engine in front and behind. LATEST. Feather,stone, Sept. 14. At the inquest to-day James Montgomery, laborer, of Mataura, and sevenq other witnesses were examined. Their evidence contradicted that of Quinn, and showed that the couplings of the trains were not defective, and there were no irregularities on the part of the r ailwaj officers.