INQUIRY OPENS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21280, 26 November 1940, Page 6

INQUIRY OPENS

MERCER ACCIDENT ) TAKING OF EVIDENCE ONLY ONE EYE-WITNESS ) POLICY OF DEPARTMENT rl jj <B Y Telegraph.—Press Association) AUCKLAND, Tuesday ** Exhaustive evidence to be submitted to the Board of Inquiry into 5 | the derailment of the Limited express 7 near Mercer on the morning of Oc--1 tober 28, when the engine-driver and 1 fireman were killed, was outlined to-day when the board commenced s its sitting. Sir Francis Frazer, presided, and with him were Professor - : S. E. Lamb and Mr F. W. Furkert. ’ J Mr V. R. Meredith and Mr I. - \ Thomas represented the Minister of (Railways and the department; Mr G. ® p * Findlay and Mr A. E. Johnson watched the interests of Engine ■ Drivers, Firemen’s and Cleaners’ Association, Mr L. Mcllvride, general “ secretary of the Amalgamated So- : ciety of Railway Servants’ Associa- ! Hon, appeared on behalf of his union. “ i Mr P. u. Harkness, of Hamilton, for l ! the widow of the fireman, Mrs B j Ritchie, of Frankton; and Mr John- ’■ i son for the widow of the enginedriver, Mrs McCubbin, of Frankton. > Counsel were also present for various passengers injured. r Passengers’ Statements The chairman said the report was to be in the hands of the Minister before December 21. Through the courtesy of the Superintendent of Police in Auckland the board had been allowed to peruse passengers’ statements and had made a selection of those which it appeared would be useful as evidence. It proposed, however, to adjourn the sitting this after- > noon to enable counsel to have the same advantage. “My instructions from the Minister and the department are to give all - assistance to this board of inquiry,” - said Mr Meredith. “Any officers of e the department may be called if desired.” He detailed the technical evil dence that would be given, adding i that there was unfortunately only one j eyewitness, a person who was walking along the line at the time. Various calculations as to rolling j stock, the condition of the permanent i way, stability of the type of locomo- ! tive concerned, its balance at varii ous speeds, and the amount of cant ! that would be necessary on the tracks before it would overturn would’ be dealth with, said Mr Meredith. ) “The department wishes it to be known to the public that any person who feels that he or she can give useful evidence may be heard at the inquiry.” Mr Meredith added that he con- * 1 veyed the thanks of the Minister and ! the department to the passengers on " j the express who showed courage, and j to those in the vicinity of the acci- ; i dent who rendered immediate aid. “It is no part of our intructions to * shield any officer of the depatrment,” he said. “Our purpose is to present all the facts frankly and candidly, so that the board may arrive at a finding that will, if possible, prevent a recurrence of such a disaster.” Running Schedule The first witness, A. L. Smith, transportation manager in the Railway Department, statione/ at Well- ( ington, gave details of time-tables for the North Island main line and branches. j i To Mr Finlay witness said there j had been no alteration in the sche- \ dule running time between Frankton j Junction and Mercer since 1937. Over that length of line it would be looked upon as a “ i ght” schedule if drivers suggested tjat the travelling time from Wellington to Auckland should be extended’ half an hour in order to ensure greater safety. Witness would say there was no need for that. He thought they were working within safety limits. To Mr Oran, appearing for an injured passenger, witness said that by • the phrase “tight schedule” he meant I that not very much slack would be allowed. A driver would not be able » to up very much time if he were . running behind schedule without exceeding the specified speed limit. r The luncheon adjournmerr interl rupted the hearing of evidence.