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I.—Oα.

A. (.JIANDISON.

they think the precaution should be taken of getting one train into the siding until the northern train conies into the station. A wry simple system at sidings would be an interlocking system, and thai is the only remedy that will prevent another accident taking place. An interlocking system is wanted that will work these points from the station. I still maintain that if these improvements had hi en made before the accident, when the Minister of Railways' attention was drawn to the requirements, the accident would never have occurred. -1. You mean that if the improvements that have boon carried out since the accident had been done earlier there would have been no accident? —That is so. 5. Hon, Mr. Herries.] You said that the Minister's attention was drawn to the requirements. Was my attention drawn ? —1 do not know whether your's was. I was not there then. 1 did not nice! you at the statioii. 6. A deputation did. Was not the principal request for a goods-shed and also for a bridge for the school children? I was not at that deputation. 1 believe that the Town Board asked for that. 7. There was no request for a fresh signal-box?—No, I do not think there was. On the Ith March there was a request for improvements at the station, and on the 4th April a wire was received that the matter was being looked into, and the accident, took place on the 28th May. 8. You do not know what was asked from the Minister of Railways?—l was a member of the Board, but I do not exactly remember what it was. !). But you are casting blame on the Minister of Railways? Not at all. 1 do not moan to east any reflection upon any Minister; -but, I say that if the conditions that prevail now had existed before the accident there would have been no accident, because if the train had been kept in the siding where it is kept now the other train could not have hit it. 10. Do you mean to say that if there are two signals- a distant signal and a home signal— those are never overrun? —I did not, say so. A train can overrun any signal. 11. Supposing there had been a double signal—a»distant signal and a home signal the accident might have happened just the same if (he engine-driver had run over the signals? —If the distant signal is 400 yards further away than fh" home signal the driver has time to draw up before he gets to th<' home signal; but the home signal is not far enough away from the station for safety. A distant signal is a double precaution. 12. Mr. Witty.] Did I understand you to say that the people had lost confidence now in Now Lynn? Passengers have expressed themselves in that way. 13. Has there been any decrease in the traffic since the accident?—l do not, think so. 14. Then you are not certain that they have lost confidence? —There is no confidence in the running of the railways. People feel that they are not so safe as they should be. 15. The public arc still travelling?— Yes, but they do not consider tho railways are so safe as they should be. 16. In what way is the coal ami brick traffic dealt with—by ordinary or special trains?— Some are special trains. 17. Most, of them are special trains?—A good many of them. The first train that comes in the morning shunts in the siding there. 18. There has been a now station built there, has there not? —Yes. 19. Built in brick, of course, as there are brickyards close by?— Built in wood, even though there are brickyards in the district. 20. If there' had been an island platform would it have prevented the accident? —Tlie chances are that it would not have happened. 21. How was it. then, thai the accident happened before the train got, to the station?— Because the other train was in the way. The platform, remember, would start before the line reached the station proper. 22. I understood you to say that New Lynn was going ahead considerably, and that about £12.000 worth of goods was dealt with at New Lynn Station?—At that deputation to Mr. Millar it was mentioned that there was an income of .£12.000 from that, station, and it lias increased from £12,000 to £15.000. Wo consider the time arrived a long time ago when the income was sufficient, to warrant a Stationmaster being put in charge. 23. Do you know of any other Hag station where as much stuff is sent away?—l do not. 24. Mr. Myers.] About how long ago was it when you waited on Mr. Millar? —I think it was just before the last election. 25. Notwithstanding that you waited on him. your request was declined?— They were thinking about it. 26. Tt was not acceded to?—No, not that 1 am aware of. 27. When you made this request for an island platform and a Stationmaster to be placed at Now Lynn, wore you actuated by a desire to avert a possible accident, or was your principal reason for it to be able to cope more speedily with the increase traffic?—lt was both of them. 28. Although the Department informed me that they were going into the matter, and it was probably over two years ago, did you or any other residents take any steps in regard to reminding tlie Department that nothing was being done?—A deputation waited on a Minister prior to this. 29. Did the idea prevail amongst the passengers who used this lino between Now Lvnn and Auckland that there was likely to be an accident? Yes; ihe accident was expected. 30. Was any further action taken to bring the matter before Ihe Department or the Minister? We mentioned it to the porters and we were told to mind our own business; we must not, interfere with tlie Government Railways. 31. You are a large contractor in Auckland, and speak as a .practical man?— Yes. .'l2. You have travelled throughout New Zealand? Yes. pretty well over New Zealand.