WATERSIDE ACCIDENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 May 1918, Page 8

WATERSIDE ACCIDENTS.

EVIDENCE AT INQUIRY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night The Commission of Inquiry into waterside accidents concluded its sittings to-day. Further evidence of the workers regarding the conditions were given, and then the union officials were examined The chief wharfinger for the Union Company said he knew of no case of victimisation for reporting defective gear. It was the duty of an officer on reaching port to inspect the gear before the cargo was worked. Other witnesses also denied the allegation of victimisation. Inspectors examined the Home and coastal boats, and had the right to inspect the gear on foreign ships. Harold Sergeant, harbourmaster, stated that at one time the Harbour Board appointed an inspeetoT of gear, but owing to overlapping with the Marine Department, which appointed a surveyors' board, the inspector was withdrawn. Inspection of ships' hulks and shore should be under one control. The Union Company's wharfinger (Captain lies) agreed that nets for hatchways and safety-nets would minimise accidents. (Representatives of various companies stated that the gear was frequently examined, and all that was found defective was replaced immediately.

Samuel Dalrymple, inspector of machinery under the Department said all the gear on hulks and ships was inspected once a year, and further examinations made if defects were reported. Ho al-wav-9 viewed the overhead gear The Commission resumes at Welltng[ton on Wednesday.