The Railway Accident.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3657, 15 September 1880, Page 2

The Railway Accident.

(Pjbb Pxiess Association.)

The Verdict.

WELLINGTON.

This day.

On the inquest on the Featherston accident being resumed several passengers, the guard, and the manager of the railway were examined, the evidence being to the effect that the wind was the cause of the accident. The Jury then returned the following verdict:—

The verdict of the Jory is—"That after full consideration of the evidence brought before them, the deaths of Ida fharazyn and Francis John ft icholas were purely accidental, and were caused by the carriage being blown off the line down the embankment on the Bimuhaka incline; and, in the opinion of the Jury, no blame is attached to anyone." Rider—l. " That in the opinion of the Jury, Government should take immediate tction by the construction of wind sheds, or other protective means, to prevent similar accident on the dangerous parts of the incline, and that direct telegraph communication be at once established between the summit and Kaitoke. 2. That the gravest censure be passed on tha witness Quinn for the statement he made without corroborative evidence that tb» driver and stoker were in possession of a bottle of brandy before the accident; that they were new hands, and that the carriages were not properly coupled; especially as the evidence shows that the driver and stoker were perfectly sober, and instead of being new hands they had been engaged working engines on the incline for, the last 18 months; and that on the occurrence of the accident the railway authorities and their employees rendered every assistance in their power. The Jury are of opinion, from the evidence adduced, that the management of the line is most efficient."