The Sun.
London, England, 1865-06-17 00:00:00

By Mr. Abrahams—The inspector would give instructions
as to the way in which the work was to be done, but not
attend every day. He would visit it perhaps twice or three
times a week. This inspector has 36 miles to inspect, and
whore the line is so easy as this that would not be an extra
distance. In the absence of the inspector Benge would be
solely responsible. I think we have a right to expect that
a man in Benge's position is capable of sending a man out
with a flag to keep the line clear; and I think he is the
best person to have the responsibility, or he might take up
the rails at any time. If the responsibility was put on over
him it would tend to increase the chances of accident. If
he is not capable of sending out a man with a flag he is not
capable of fixing a rail. A rail might be taken up at any
time if proper preparations were adopted and the signals
sent out.

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not any hesitation in saying that I know,
now, from my own.
but my inquiry was not on oath.
By Mr. Steele—l do not think that the station master
would, of necessity, become aware of the disregard of the
regulations. I do know that White, the signalman, had.
two of his fog-signals with him, but he did not use them.
By Mr. Freeland—l have no doubt that the occurrence
would not have happened had the regulations been ob-
served ; they were quite sufficient.
By Mr. Abrahams—l think the engine-driver ought to
have known of the repairs going on at the bridge.
By the Coroner—l think that all drivers and guards
ought to have had a notice of the repairs going on. I do not
think it would be advisable to have it signalled at each
station. The notice, if any, should go from the head office
through the inspector.
By Mr. Steele—Had the bridge been brick instead of
corrugated iron the occurrence would still have happened.
By Mr. Winter, jun.—Benge was clearly responsible that
the signalman went the full 1,000 yards, and ought to have
gone with him at the commencement of the job.
John White, having been cautioned by the coroner, said
—I have been a platelayer in the company's service for 20
years, and have been signalman during the repair of this
bridge, except for two days. I have done all the signalling,
except for two days. I was under the direction of Henry
Benge. I have generally gone back ten telegraph posts,
which was all I thought proper. He never told me how far
to go. 1 went to the same place as the man did who sig-
nalled before me. His name is Eltham. I had two fog sig-
nals, which Eltham gave me. I had not any directions to
put them down except in foggy weather. No one told me,
but I thought so, as they were called fog signals. The 2.50
train was at Headcorn when I left the bridge to go back. I
don't believe that I ever went a mile further than that.
On Friday last I first saw the tidal train below Headcorn.
I was standing in the sixfoot with the flag out over the up
line. I waved it in every direction. I first heard the
whistle as the train got just past me. There was then a
double whistle. I could not tell whether the brakes were On.
or the steam shut off as the train passed me.

By the Rev. Mr. Moore (foreman of the jury)—l did not
go out to warn the 2.50 train, but Benge told me they were
going to put atimber in after it had gone up, so I went out
with my flag.
By Mr. Abrahams —I thought I could have stopped the
train in that distance of ten telegraph posts. I have stopped
trains before at that place since we have been on that job.
I have done so four times with other trains—not a tidal
train, but three ballast trains and a single engine. I think if
the engine-driver had been keeping a look out they would
have been able to see my flag and stop in time.

By Mr. minter--Benge said to me, "Now, John, take
your flag and go out." He did not say, "Mind you go far
enough." I did all in my power to stop the train as Boort
as I saw it, and I continued to do so till the train passed.
After I saw an accident had happened I Went back towards
Headcorn to stop the mail.

By Mr. Freeland—l made a mark in the ground where X
stood at the time, so that it should be known.

David Ovenden, superintendent of the county police, re-
called, said—On Friday last, on the information I received,
I went down to the place of the occurrence, and about 9
o'clock saw Mr. Eborall and Benge there. Mr. Eborall asked
Benge how the accident had occurred, and Benge said in.
reply, "Well, sir, I mislooked the time-book. I looked at
the Saturday instead of Friday, and thought that I had
plentyof time." After this conversation was over I returned
to the prisoner and said to him, " I am about to apprehend
you. You aro charged with the manslaughter of the per-
sons who have been killed by the accident this afternoon,
and you must now consider yourself my prisoner." He said,
" Very well ; it's a bad job." I searched him, and found ou.
him the general service time-book for June, which I now
produce. That book shows that the tidal train on Friday
was due at Headcorn at 3 15, and at Staplehurst at 3 19.
hOunraStaatut 5 24. H
Saturday it waso had n
due ato oksh2ooato Headcorn,
rules.eadcona, and at Staple.

Mr. Healey, manufacturing engineer, 108, Dorset-street,
Fleet-street, said that he had been stopping at Staplehurst,
and on going to the spot examined the brakes and fount;
them on as far as concerned tbe carriages on the line. Tho
engine seemed to have been reversed, from the position of
the levels. The tender brakes could not have been put ou
after the accident as the machinery was so much dis-
arranged. _ _ _

The inquiry was adjourned to Monday next at 12 o'clock.