THE WAIRARAPA ENQUIRY.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 274, 23 November 1894, Page 6

THE WAIRARAPA ENQUIRY.

The Wairarapa Enquiry has been very prolonged and thorough. On Friday last the engineers gave evidence, and all came out well. The chief engineer did all that thoughtfulness, coolness, and skill could do when the crash was felt, and then remained at his post at imminent risk to nimself. Mr Dunlop, the second engineer, fulfilled his orders and afterwards worked bravely to save others. Mr Cooper, at the conclusion of the four engineers’ evidenoe, said he would ask the Bench 10 state that they were exonerated. He thought that the engineers had done their duty, ana he asked the Bench to express an opinion at this stage so that the engineers could get their certificates renewed. Mr Cooper said that in his opinion the conduct of the engineers was deserving of commendation. He had been invited by the Collector of Customs to ask the Bench to formally exonerate the engineers. Mr Northcroft said, The Court is unanimous that the engineers did their duty. They are exonerated, and their certificates will be renewed. We can go even further, and say that we think the chief engineer stuck to his post at the risk of losing his life—and there is no doubt from the evidence, and all we have heard, that Mr Dunlop behaved in a very brave manner. This is all I care to say until we bring up the finding of the enquiry.