Paeroa Railway Fatality.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4448, 12 August 1909, Page 2

Paeroa Railway Fatality.

drink and the railway staff

SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS.

A GOOD deal of interest has been evinced m connection with the circumstances surrounding the death of Fireman W. J. Aiig us , who was killed near the Paeroa Railway, station on Monday evening last. The inquest was resumed at the Courthouse, Paeroa, on Monday, before Coroner Forrest and a jury of six. Inspector Kiely appeared on behalf of the police. It was decided not to take evidence regarding the sobriety or otherwise of the Railway staff, except those immediately conneted with the train at the time of the accident. Evidence was given to show that deceased, in company with two other men, had been at Te Aroha on the day of the accident, drinking and walking about the town. Deceased, and a man named Morris, came to the train at Te Aroha, to return to Paeroa, but Morris apparently got on to the train by himself, and no more was seen of deceased until his body was found after the accident at Paeroa. The driver, fireman, and guard of the train _ and the passengers on the train at the time could give no account as to what part of the train deceased travelled on, saying that they had not seen him on the train at all. Romo of the railway servants called gave it as their opinion that deceased had fallen off and been struck by the train, thus causing the train to be derailed. Deceaeed appears to have had no railway ticket, as none was found on his body, although a pass, which expired on July 29th was found, —At the conclusion of the evidence, which lasted all day, the jury returned a verdict as follows That deceased was under the influence of liquor, and that no blame is attachable to those in charge of the train at the time.” A rider was added that it was hoped that the result of the Departmental inquiry would be handed to the press for publication, in view of the allegations that had been made of drinking by the staff.