§ Mr. JOHN WARDasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention had been called to an accident by which a boy, named Richard Smith, was killed on the new dock works at Newport (Mon.) on 21st October 9 last; whether the boy was killed by an engine running over level ground, the driver of which could see anything on the line at least 100 yards ahead; what was the speed of the engine at the time of the accident; and whether, in view of the fact that this man has been warned by the coroner for his share in a similar previous fatality, he will place the evidence before the Public Prosecutor, with a view to further proceedings.
§ Mr. GLADSTONEI have made inquiries with regard to this accident. It happened on a straight piece of line, but on the side from which the boy approached there was a ganger's cabin close to the line which to some extent intercepted the view. The coroner informs me that the statement that the driver had previously been warned by him for his share m another similar fatality is a mistake; so far as he is aware, the driver has not been in an accident of the kind before. He is of opinion that there is no evidence of negligence which would justify proceedings against the driver.