ONEHUNGA TRAM DISASTER.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 June 1917, Page 4

ONEHUNGA TRAM DISASTER.

'AIWOUftNED INQUEST

THE MOTORMAN'S EVIDENCE.

By Telegraph.—'Press Association.

Auckland, Last Night. The adjourned inquest into the death of Annie Elizabeth Birch, a, victim of the tramway 'accident at Onohunga on May 20, was resumed to-day. George Murray, district engineer, gave evidence that the track was in good running order.

*Sydney Stirling Colquhoun, motorman, stated that the evening was dark, and when lie received the starting signal lie looked round the side of the car to see if the pascngers had safely boarded. This was customary, especially at night. While looking towards the back of the car lie had the controller handle in his right hand. The handle was then in its proper place at the "off" position. Witness was grasping with his left hand the iron stanchion connecting the step and the roof of the car. Before he regained his usual position on the platform he released the air brake to allow the car to start. When stepping back to the centre of the platform he turned the controller handle, so that the car was given two or three notches of power. Just as he had done this he overbalanced and attempted 'to recover himself by pulling on the controller handle, which came right oft" in his hand and allowed him to fall right out on the road. There were three separate brakes, one of which was applicable in two distinct ways, There was no rule in the 'book of rules and instructions for motormen forbidding them to look around the side of the car, nor was there any rule compelling them to do so. It was simply a custom of the service, arising from the difficulty that a conductor sometimes experiences in ascertaining if all the passengers were clear of the back platfomn. Other evidence was given by officials and passengers, and the inquiry was adjourned till Tuesday, when a demonstration as to how the accident occurred will be given.