RAILWAY APPEAL BOARD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 79, 29 April 1909, Page 3

RAILWAY APPEAL BOARD

By Telegraph.—Press Association. ~ Wangauui, Last Night. ' The North Island Railway Appeal f Board was occupied all day hearing the ] conclusion of the evidence in the appeal ' ( ' J. A. Shelton ag.iinst dismissal for i Vs connection with a collision at Alar- ' ton Junction. In his evidence, Shelton ' sail that he was instructed by the sta- ■ tionmnster to go out on tlie main line with a shunting engine. The mail train '• was overdue, but he contended that he \ considered the signals would protect him, seeing that tlie stntionniaster had ; given hiin the orders. No sooner had • tli P shunting engine got on to the main line than the mail train appeared, and collided. Other witnesses deposed to hearing the stationmnster ask Shelton if he wen' going out on the line. The fttatfonmoKter to-day declared thai the shunt was made without his authority, and was in direct contravention of the practice which obtained in (lie yard. He said it was possible that Shelton had misunderstood an instruction regarding a different part of the yard. The Court reserved its decision. James Mefiurk, driver of the shunting engine, appealed against his dismissal. He said he was bound by the regulations to obey the instructions of Shunter Shelton, who told him to go on the main line. TI e could not see the signals, but presumed that the shunter would not order him to go into danger. The appeal is not concluded. _