I.— (sa.

16

[A. GKANDISON.

33. Do yoti think that the Government should bo called upon to provide facilities such as you have mentioned to every similar station throughout New Zealand that is doing the same amount of traffic as New Lynn?—l consider that one man is not able to cope with the traffic there with safety. There is work for three men there—a Stationmaster and two men under him —one man to be at the points, and another to look after the tablet and supply the tickets. 34. Do you think there are features in connection with the New Lynn Railxvay-station which make it more dangerous? —Certainly. 35. Since the erection of the tanks subsequent to the accident, do you think there is any likelihood of another accident? —When we waited on Mr. Millar the result was that a plan was drawn. I saw the plan myself very shortly afterwards. I believe it was just before the election. They had the line straightened and the bridge altered—just what we are asking for now. It has not been carried out. We consider that the present, Government ought to carry out the works that were really authorized under the old Minister of Railways. I saw the plan, and they have straightened the line so that you can see right through the station. There will never be any safety until that is carried out. 36. At the present time you do not think it is safe? —I do not think it is safe now, and I do not think it will be until the alterations are made. 37. Mr. Veitch.] You say you saw the wreck just after the collision? —Yes. 38. Immediately after? —Not immediately. They were coming over to my telephone to ring up for a doctor. I went over as soon as I could get to see it. I heard the crash. 39. How long would it be from the time you heard the crash till you got, there? —It may have been within an hour ; it may have been half an hour; I did not take the time. 40. Can you give us concisely what you consider the causes of this accident?—lt resulted from the tiain going out from the siding on to the main line. 41. You have no idea of any other cause, excepting that both trains tried to get into the one place at the same time? -It was a foggy morning, but I have seen it as foggy before. 42. How would you describe it: could you see 100 yards, or 20 yards?—At New Lynn there are some parts where the fog lies low; tho fog is not over the whole district There was a fog that morning that prevented me from seeing the signal. I was standing at the bank about 160 yards from it, and I could not see the signal. 43. You do not know then whether tho fog contributed to the accident or not?—l do not know. 44. Mr. Hine.] You say that it was generally anticipated there would be an accident there. Did you know intimately tho engine-driver, or the fireman, or the guard on the trains?— Just from sight. 45. Never had any conversation with them? —No. 46. You are not in a position to say whether they held the same view?—No; I do not know what, view they held. 47. Mr. Dickson.] You have been living there for a number of years, have you not? —About eight years. 48. Has the traffic increased at New Lynn Station very much since then? —Yes. There were no brickworks there about ten years ago. The brickworks now supply tlie City of Auckland and the surrounding districts. 49. You are a member of the New Lynn Town Board? —Yes. 50. How long is it since New Lynn lias been formed into a town district?— About three years and a half. 51. You as Chairman waited on Mr. Millar?—Yes. 52. Can you state definitely that it was not in the month of March, just after the election. that you asked Mr. Millar—that was about getting an island platform?— Yes, that is right; but I thought it was previous to tho election. Ido not know the date. 53. You consider the station is not safe for the amount of work they are doing?—lt is not sufficiently safe by any means. 54. Can you tell us the position of the signal?—lt is beyond tho bridge—about 10 yards beyond. 55. What is the grade going towards that, signal?— There is a curve that comes right round, but there is not so much of an incline from Titerirangi crossing. You cannot see the train till it is almost approaching the station. 56. If there had been an island station there and tl ther water-tank erected, would not the train have got the water at the south end instead of going to the north end?—Yos, that, is what it is intended for, I presume. 57. Are you sure that the £12,000 or ,£15,000 you mentioned is the value of the goods—is that tho freight?—l said it was tho income from the traffic. I suppose that covers passengers and goods. 58. You mentioned slips, and I presume by that you meant the porters had made slips, and not that there were earth-slips? —Yos. 59. You stated that the plan you referred to was not correct ? Yes. The bank hides the view, but when I saw the bank it occurred to me that the railway-line curved round tho bank. 60. You consider it would be far safer if the bank were taken away?—Oh, certainly, that is one of the necessary things, that tin l bank should be taken away to open the view of the train approaching. 61. Mr. Kennedy.] You said you were here in place of Mr. McGilvrie?—That is so. 62. You were not at the scene of the accident at the time it occurred, so that you cannot saxhow much fog there was?-—No, I was there within an hour or throe-quarters of an hour after; but there was a fog that morning— I saw it from my own house.