CHRISTCHURCH TRAMWAY ACCIDENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 May 1919, Page 5

CHRISTCHURCH TRAMWAY ACCIDENT.

OVERLOADING AND EXCESSIVE SPEED ALLEGED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Christchurch. T ast Night. The adjourned inquiry into the death of William Samuel Brunton, 47 years of age, who died as the result of injuries sustained in the recent •'ram smash, was resumed before the coroner (Mr. S. E. McCarthy).

Motorman Bead said he entered the points at sis miles an hour, and then built up speed again. When he felt a jar he applied the brakes and pulled up in a car's length. The tram was overloaded. The trailers had no independent brakes.

Conductor Baunton, who was on the first trailer, said on noticing that the trailer was derailed he gave the danger signal. The ears were overloaded, and the trailer which 1 overturned was carrying at least ninety passengers. The coroner: How manv passengers are the cars licensed to carry? Mr. Johnston (counsel for the Tramways Union): That is the trouble, sir; they are not licensed.

Witness went on to say that in his opinion another conductor on the second trailer would have obviated the accident He would have known as soon as the trailer left the rails, and signalled the fact.

Percy D. Tonkin and Thomas W. Martin, passengers, gave it as their opinion that the tram was trave»ling too fast. Edward C. Farr, Public Works Department, said he examined the points, which appeared to be in perfect working order. He could ascribe nc cause for the car leaving one line imd going on to the other.

J. E. McEnnis, district engineer, Publie Works Department, gave it as his opinion that excessive speed, together with jolting or rolling of the end trailer, caused the car to leave the rails. The enquiry was adjourned.