[h. geeen.

I.—6a.

18

report to the Stationmaster where they live from time to time, and be in attendance when such a state of affairs takes place. Since the accident occurred I have been informed that the porter who is off duty has to attend to the fog-signalling when a fog arises, and I should like to know whether this is not true. In the event of an emergency arising he has to attend to these requirements in the interests of public safety; and, if that is done now, I ask why was it not done before If it was an absolute necessity to put this work on to a man after he left off duty, why was it not done before? The public of New Lynn feel very indignant on this point. Wednesday, 10th September, 1913. Henry Gheen further examined. (No. 4.) 1. The Chairman.] Will you please continue with your statement to the Committee? —Yes. I now desire to refer to the carriages. The carriage that telescoped was one of the oldest in New Zealand; it had four compartments which were very small, giving no room for escape in the event of anything happening. It was of an obsolete design, especially when being used over a track with so many inclines and curves, and in this carriage two persons were injured, especially Mr. Stone. I produce a photograph in the Weekly Press showing tlie carriages and the curve, which will grove to the Committee how the bank nearly hides the semaphore. The signal is hardly to be seen from Ihe place where the levers are. owing to the branches of the trees growing close by obstructing the view, while in addition there is a bank on which there are some trees and undergrowth. The train from the north is hidden from view until it is within 200 ft. of the station points, which are 27ft. from the "V" of tlie crossing. There is only a space of 3 ft. between the points on the loop line and the main line, and this, to mv mind, does not give the driver of a train with a small engine much time or room to do his work well. The New Lynn Town Board has been approached by the ratepayers to urge upon the authorities the necessity of getting better facilities at the station. They also pointed out tho dangers that have existed in regard to the handling of the traffic, the faulty lighting of the station, and the immediate necessity that exists for an island platform. The station is understaffed, and owing to the increased traffic which has to be handled at the station the work is too much for one man to attend to, and a Stationmaster should therefore be appointed. All these requirements were pointed out to the Hon. Mr. Millar, the then Minister of Railways, some time ago. Also, I led a deputation to Mr. Myers asking for a better train service, also pointing out some of the dangers existing at New Lynn. The necessity for an island platform is enhanced by the fact that there are txvo crossings right at the station and another two about a quarter of a mile away north and south of the station, and these are very dangerous. There is a water-tank at the northern end of-the platform, and in my opinion if there had been an overhead pipe leading from the tank over the main line to the loop lino, water could have been supplied to tho Auckland train. As to the new tank which has been erected, there appears to have been an error made in building it so close to the main line as it was shifted back. It is now constructed about 30 ft. back from the main line, with a pipe leading to tho main line, and it now appears to me to be built in such a way as to leave enough room for the construction of an island platform. It also appears that provision is made for straightening the line at the northern end of the station where the curve is. The public do not seem to have that confidence which they should have in regard to the handling of tho traffic. The passengers in the trains are all more or less nervous when rounding any sharpe curve, especially when tho train is going round the curve at Whao Bridge, as the train always gives a sudden lurch. In conclusion, I should like to state that I hope, for the sake of all concerned, that justice will be done to the men who have been injured. Louis Alfred Margan sworn and examined. (No. 5.) 1. The Chairman.] What are you?—A brickmaker, residing at New Lynn. 2. Will you make a statement to the Committee in regard to tho matter wo are considering? —As one deputed to attend before this Committee, I think T can throw a little light on the question of the accident to the Now Lynn train. For the past seven years I have been a resident of New Lynn, and although I was not present exactly at the moment of tho accident, I was on the scene shortly afterwards. I can endorse what has been said previously, that the majoritxof the people in Now Lynn and the travelling public generally wore quite prepared to see xvhat they witnessed that morning, for the reason that during the past four or five years to my knowledge it has been a common practice for the train arriving from Auckland at 6.45 a.m. to shunt forward for the purpose of taking in water. Sometimes I believe it has also shunting to do in connection with tho depositing of goods at New Lynn. In tho morning that train carries from Auckland goods that have to go to Henderson. The goods are put off at New Lvnn and afterwards picked up bx- the goods-train and taken to Henderson and Waikumote, while tho goods for New Lynn are picked up again and shunted into the dead end. The train shunts forward near the tank and close to whero the accident occurred, and the public think it is a most dangerous practice, for the reason that tho incoming train going to town has a vorv steep grade to come down. Further, there seems to be no discipline at tho station, inasmuch as thoy have no proper person to look after things as they should bo. At the last moment when tho train is due I have heard tho remark, "Are those points locked?" and the reply has been, "I do not know; ask So-and-so." That state of affairs should not be tolerated whore public life is concerned. My