1).—2.

APPENDIX A.

REPORT OF THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE CAUSE OF THE DERAILMENT OF THE WELLINGTON - NAPIER EXPRESS TRAIN NEAR OPAPA STATION ON THE 22nd SEPTEMBER, 1925. COMMISSION. To all to whom these presents shall come, and to William Glendinning Riddell, Esquire, of Wellington ; James Marchbanks, Esquire, of Wellington; William Ddffus Hunt, Esquire, of Wellington. Whereas the Wellington-Napier express train was derailed near Opapa Station on the 22nd September, 1925 : And whereas in consequence of such derailment some passengers who were travelling in the said train were killed, and other passengers injured to a greater or less extent, and serious damage was done to the rolling-stock comprising the said train : And whereas it is desirable that inquiries should be made into the cause of the said accident: Now, therefore I, Joseph Gordon Coates, Minister of Railways, in pursuance of the power vested in me by section 9 of the Government Railways Amendment Act, 1921-22, and of all other powers and authorities in that behalf, do hereby constitute and appoint you, the said William Glendinning Riddell, James Marchbanks, and William Duffus Hunt to be a Board of Inquiry to inquire into and report to me upon the following matters, namely (1.) What was the cause of the derailment of the Wellington-Napier express train near Opapa Station on the 22nd September, 1925 ? (2.) Are there any circumstances in connection with the said derailment which in your opinion call for comment ? And you, the said William Glendinning Riddell, are hereby appointed Chairman of the said Board of Inquiry. And for the purpose of better enabling you the said Board to carry these presents into effect you are hereby authorized and empowered to make and conduct any inquiry under these presents, at such times and places in the Dominion of New Zealand, as you deem expedient, with power to adjourn from time to time and place to place as you think fit, and to call before you and examine on oath or otherwise as may be allowed by law such person or persons as you may think capable of affording you any information in the premises. And you the said William Glendinning Riddell, James Marchbanks, and William Duff(js Hunt are hereby required to enter upon and pursue the said inquiry with all due diligence and to report to me under your hands your opinion on the matters aforesaid not later than the 31st day of October, 1925. And it is hereby declared that these presents shall continue in force notwithstanding that the said inquiry may be adjourned from time to time and place to place. And it is lastly hereby declared that these presents are issued under and subject to the provisions of section 9 of the Government Railways Amendment Act, 1921-22. As witness my band this 23rd day of September, 1925. J. G. Coates. Minister of Railways. To all to whom these presents shall come, and to William Glendinning Riddell, Esquire, of Wellington ; James Marchbanks, Esquire, of Wellington ; William Duffus Hunt, Esquire, of Wellington. Whereas by warrant under the hand of the Minister of Railways dated the 23rd day of September, 1925, you, the said William Glendinning Riddell, Esquire, of Wellington, James Marchbanks, Esquire, of Wellington, William Duffus Hunt, Esquire, of Wellington, were appointed to be a Board of Inquiry under and subject to the provisions of section 9 of the Government Railways Amendment Act, 1921-22, for the purposes set out in the said warrant: And whereas by the said warrant you were required to report to me under your hands your opinion as to the aforesaid matters not later than the 31st day of October, 1925 : And whereas it is expedient that the said period should be extended as hereinafter provided :

1-D. 2 (App.).