WATERSIDE COMMISSION.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 May 1918, Page 4

WATERSIDE COMMISSION.

FURTHER EVIDENCE. Press Association.— Copyright. Wellington, May 27. At the sitting of the Accidents on Wharves Commission to-day, Mr. Wilford, chairman of the Commission, said that he went on board a certain ship that was unloading general cargo and cement. He inspected the brake operating at the cement hatch and worked it himself. The brake had no effect whatever, as the brakeman at the winch had rigged a substantial batten above the drum and had the wire rope coiled in order to prevent it from going over (.he end of the drum. The height of the drum w»s hardly a margin of safety, and the timber barrier was worn in certain .places where the rope came in contact with it. He saw on one winch an escape of steam, and put the brake of the winch full down, and got the winchman to start the machinery. The band brake had no effect in lessening the speed of the revolutions of the winch. Arthur Calvert, surveyor of ships and inspector of machinery, said that the inspectors made a survey at any time. If they' saw any defect and mentioned it it was remedied. That inspection was made apart from the requirements of the regulations. He saw that defects discovered in machinery were remedied, and had no difficulty in getting them remedied. He found few defects in harbor board gear. Hr thought it would be better to have one inspecting authojiity for ships, hoiks, or harbor board.