The Rakaia Disaster.
The report of tlio Rakaia Commission was laid on the table of the House on Tuesday afternoon. The Commissioners, after reviewing the evidence, say : — "Wo are of opinion that the accident aro.se through driver Carter maintaining too hi «h a speed in running hia tivvin between "Chei-isey and Rakaiti, and from misjudging" his distance from Rak.iia station, station, when he shut off steam. There is not the slightest reason to suppose that Carter was otherwise than perfectly sober, but as in his evidence he has admittted his extreme desire to make up on his journey the time which had been lost in starting from Ash-bin-ton, we believe thabhe allowed
that desire to overrule big better judgment, and consequently immtiined an excessive speed, expecting that No. 21 south would bs in Ralriia ill due time, and that the first excursion train would have cleared that station. The supposition that his mind way almost conclusively bent on this one subject seems to afford a reasonable explanation of the failure of himoelf and his fireman to see the green light which Barrows, the guard' s> assistant, alleges ho waved almost persistent] y between Ohertsey station and the scene of the accident." Mentioning Guard Climpson's missing the train, the Commissioners say :—": — " It is not apparent tint his absence in auy way led to the subsequent accident, but we desire to record our opinion that a guard of such length of service .md experience as ho possesses might have avoided so serious a blunder as missing a passenger train of which lie was in charge."
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Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume II, Issue 20, 13 July 1899, Page 3
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263The Rakaia Disaster. Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume II, Issue 20, 13 July 1899, Page 3
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