TRAM FATALITY.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 January 1920, Page 5

TRAM FATALITY.

THE INQUIRY CONTINUED THEORY OF THE CAUSE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The inquest on the victims of the Pirie Street tramway fatality was resumed this afternoon. Gertrude Osborne, of Christchureli, deposed that when a few yards from the Austin Street stop she heard the noise of a ear in the tunnel. The car did not seen to slacken speed, and she notictd the motorman was do,vn. She called tc + .':e conductor, but she did not think she succeeded in attracting liis attention.

Duncan McGillivray, traffic manager pf the tramways department, resumed his evidence. He contended the systom adopted in training conductors was one generally employed throughout the world as being best suited to the safety of the travelling public. He unhesitatingly asserted • that the conductor thoroughly carried out the instructions of his superior officers. Mr. Neave, who appeared for the widow of the deceased motorman Small, protested against the conduct of the inquiry, which he said was travelling beyond the limits of the proper scope of inquests. After a discussion on the point, Mr. McGillivray continued. He >siid the reason conductors were confined to a hnnd brake was that it was simple and effective, and not difficult to learn. The reason it did not hold on this occasion was that it was- asked to do too much. No brake could hold in the circumstances unless used by an expert motorman. The conductor did what lie should have done in the circumstances.

11l answer to a question, witness said his theory of the cause of the accident was that the car came to Austin Street at the usual speed; that it was sufficiently slow at Austin Street to induce the conductor to think it was on the point of pulling up; that seeing all was clear he gave two bells; that the car after leaving Austin Street probably commenced to gain speed; anl that the late Mr. Evans —and he did not wish to detract one iota from the merit of his action —went to the front, and in endeavouring to assist the motorman accidentally released the air brake, and the car bounded forward; that prior to the brake being released the action of the conductor in applying the rear hand brake had steadied the car sufficiently to take it round the curveTile Coroner pointed out that the basis of this theory was in conflict with the evidence of Miss Osborne. . Ilia inquiry was adjourned*