THE TRAMWAY ACCIDENT.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 92, 7 March 1885, Page 6

THE TRAMWAY ACCIDENT.

Auckland, March 4. An inquest was held yesterday at Gle°son's Hotel, before Dr. Philson, coroner, and a jury, on the body of Robert Clark, who mot his death by being run over by a tram car ; Mr John B, Roth, foreman. Sergeant Clarke represented the police. Tho jury having viewed the body, the following witnesses were examined :—: — Michael OBrien deposed lhafc he was a bootmaker, residing at Pavnell. About one o'clock on Monday he was driving a bakor's cart along Customhouse-street West, near Gleeson's Hotel. Saw deceased crossing the road. Did not know him. He walked slowly. Tho tram-car was approaching him. The tram was going rather slow ; not so fast as usual It was driven by Alfred Sayers ; drawn by two horses. Heard the drivor shout to tho man as loudly as ho could. The man took no notice. He turned down the brake and stopped the car. Presently tho man halted so as to let the car pass. Sayers supposing all was right, reloascd tho brake and drove on. The man had nearly got clear of the car whon ho was knocked down by the near horse, and the wheel went over him, only one. Sayers at onco pulled up, took out the horsos, tho tram was raised by half a dozon men, and the injured man was carried to the bank of earth by the side of tho road. Heard no groan ; witnessed no evidence of pain. A medical mon was sent for. To the Foreman : Should say tho man was under the influence of drink. His walk was unsteady. The driver, a strangor to him, was perfectly sober. To Sergeant Clarke : The driver did his best to prevent the accident. He was not to blame. Thomas Hope Lewis, a duly qualified medical practitioner, deposed to being called to the man who had been run over by tho tram. Saw him on the bank by Gleeson'3 Hotel. He was quito dead ; although the body was still warm, tho action of the heart and respiration had ceased. Deceased had suffered a double fracture of the spine, and a rupture of tho internal organs. Dr. Lewis described tho bruises. Death must havo been almost instantaneous, and caused by a sudden shock. Thebodysmeltot liquor. There was no necessity for a post mortem examination. Emmanuel Mendelssohn, pawnbroker's assistant, identified the body as that of a man with whom he had done business as Kobert Clark. Always doscribed himself as a seaman. Considered him about 45. Saw him last on the 2Sth ult., at tho shop of Messrs Hart and Levy. lie was then under the influence of drink. Had often &ecn him in that condition. He redeemed all his pledges on Saturday night. Knew nothing of tho accident. William John OBrien deposed that ho was a baker at Parnell. Deposed to being with his brother, Michael, at the tinio of the accident. His brother was wrong in the hour. It was about two o'clock. In his opinion the driver was not to blame. Adam Henderson, ship-builder, Devonport, whose place of business is opposite Gleeson's Hotel, identified tho body as that of the man who frequently passed through the yard. Saw him pass on Monday between one and two o'clock. Had observed that he was an intemperate man. He waa employed on tho cutter Rose, of which Mr Fry is the owner. Did not witness tho occurrence. Alfred Sayors, the driver, was permitted to make a statement to the effect thathc saw the man.and called out and blew his whistle. Had the man been sober, ho might have saved himself, but on being struck by the horse, he fell back, wheeled round, and was mortally injured. Charles Fry, managing proprietor of the cutter Rose, deposed that docoased was in his employ. He only know him as " Old Bob." Ho was sober when he loft his house for the cutter with a bag of clothes. Saw him no more alive. Constable Mackay (water police) deposed to knowing the deceased. Gave him £2, which was left for him to pay his passage to Gisborno. Knew the driver, Alfred Sayers, who was an experienced driver, and who was perfectly sober at tho time of the accident, and much concerned at the result. Believed the occurrence to have been accidental. Mr Gleeson stated that deceased had taken nothing at his hotel. The jury brought in a verdict of " Accidental death," exonerating the driver from all blame ; he had done his best. The Chairman said he had known him for years as a sober and skilful driver. Tho juiy also added the following rider:—" That the Tramway Company should give strict orders to the drivers not to press for the time crossings when an accident is likely to arise through persons being near the lino."