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I.—bA.

.1. H. HOOTON^

93. Mr. McDermott.] 1 understood you to say that the present practice is safer? Of course it is. It is impossible for No. 6to enter tho loop, so that it must really be safer inasmuch as No. 5 is not on the main line, and No. 6 cannot take the loop. 94. How could N0..6 not take the loop? —Presumably the points are altered. 95. At any rate, No. 8 can go in on the loop? —Yes. 1)6. Is it not just as possible for No. 6 to go in on the loop?— Yes, provided some one allows it to run in. 1)7. Do you ilag in the same as No. 8? —Yes. 98. The present practice is safer than the previous practice?— They are both safe. 99. The present practice is more conducive to public safety ? — Yos, 1 should say so. 100. Mr. Sykes. J Are you aware of the duties of the tablet porter when a train is coming in and at a station? —Yes. lie is Usually attending to his tablet instrument entering the times. 101. He has to run to the points? —Sometimes. 102. Now, in the interests of public safety and public convenience, do you think the tablet porter can reasonably perform his duties? —Yes, certainly. 103. Mr. McVilly.] In regard to Rule 158, it says, " Where the.absolute block system is in operation." The absolute block is the tablet? —Yes. 104. The tablet regulation supersedes that rule in respect to New Lynn I —Yes, 1 should say so. 105. That is the general opinion of the Auckland men running on that road? —Yes. 106. With regard to safety, you say the practice that was followed that morning was an abso lutely safe practice?— Yes. 107. The only extra safety that you get under the present practice is that if you have a reckless driver who overruns the " Danger " signals you think he would have a better chanob of seeing the station than he would the semaphore, and would then pull up? —Yes, that is the only extra safety. 108. Mr. Veitch.] There is some question about your not knowing where your mate was? — My mate was in attendance on the train. 109. Is it not a fact that both you and your mate would be under the instructions of the tablet porter when you landed at the station? —I think 1 would get my instructions from the tablet porter, and my assistant would get them from me. 110. Mr. Dickson.] Did you get any instructions from the tablet porter that day? —No. 111. As a matter of fact, you had not seen the tablet porter?— Yes, I just saw him as 1 cami out, and then I went to the rear of the station to see if there were any loads for the north. 112. Had you spoken to him? —No, not until 1 went into the station building. 113. And therefore the tablet porter could not have given you any instructions to give to your assistant? —No, Ido not think he did. He might have said,""Right, pull ahead." 114. Mr. McDermott.] Do 1 understand that previous to this accident you had never known of an occasion of seeing the fog-signals? —That is so. 115. Have you ever seen the instructions in regard to showing fog-signals at Now Lynn?—l believe they are there." 116. Do you know they are hi operation elsewhere? —1 cannot swear to that. That is not in my department at all. John Jones Corich sworn and examined. (No. 12.) 1. The Chairman.] What arc you? —A labourer, at present residing at Eden Terrace, Auck land. 2. What was your occupation at the time of tho accident at New Lynn?—l was actingdriver. 3. Mr. McVilly.] How long had you been in the service at the time of the accident? —About nine years. 4. Had you been in the Locomotive Branch all the time ?—Yes. 5. You commenced as a cleaner?— Yes. (i. And then wont out as fireman?— Yes. 7. You had to pass your examination as a driver? —Yes. 8. And you hold a certificate as an engine-driver?— Yes. !). Do you remember the date of the accident ?—-Yes. 10. What time did you come out at Henderson? —5.35 a.m. . 11. What time did you go on duty the previous night?—! was not working at all I was off duty. 12. Then you had plenty of rest? —Yes. 13. What time did you leave Henderson with No. ti ? 1 think at 6.35 a.m. 14. Did you make up the train that morning? —Yes. 15. And did all the necessary shunting? —Yes. Ki. Did you test the Westingliouse brake? —Yes. 17. Are you sure of that? —Yes. I tested them a couple.of times in the siding when pulling out, and they were tested again at the station. 18. Why did you make two tests? —I do not know why. but two tests were made. 19. Are you satisfied as a result of those tests that the brake was absolutely efficient that morning?— Yes. 20. Had you any hesitation in leaving Henderson with that train?— No. 21. And you felt quite sure that with the brake appliances you had you could stop the train a in whore ?—-Yes.