BANKSIDE RAILWAY COLLISION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 15 May 1907, Page 2

BANKSIDE RAILWAY COLLISION.

Per Press Association. Christchurch, May 1-1. At the railway enquiry, Meikle, en-gine-driver, said he had had difficulty in getting at his engine to oil it. lie went to the notice board and found nothing affecting his twin. Subsequently Foreman Barker brought a circular to him while he was oiling and taking water, 'the latter was angry, and Barker said he did not think it affected witness's train. When he met Guard Seaman the latter went to the station master, who came with a pocket book and read out the number of the circular. There were a great many more numbers than in witness's circular. When he saw the lights of the. approaching train at Bankside he put on the brake, thinking the train would stop before the collision. The brakes worked well or not a soul would have remained alive.

Christchurch, May 14. At the conclusion of the Banksidc railway enquiry to-day, Mr. Bishop, S.M., said his duty was simply to enquire into the cause of the accident, not to report on the railway administration, lie had considerable personal sympathy with Driver Meikle, hut they could not get away from certain salient points in connection with the case. If he had to report, as counsel admitted he must report, that the collision was due to neglect, great or small, on the part of the driver and guard, the question of dealing with these ollieers, as the result of that neglect, must rest in the hands of the Ministers. If officers took circulars and did not rend, them, they must admit they had done wrong. The only question was to what extent that wrong went. The inquiry would no doubt result in good to the general public, and probably also to the railway service generally, so that Meikle would probably have to suffer for what would benefit others in future. There were regulations and they had not been carried out. The Commisisou's report would be sent on to the Minister.