The somewhat tedious inquiry which has been going on all
the week has not produced much result. It is pretty clear that the accident was due to the breaking of the tire of one of the wheels of a third.-class carriage, and it has been asserted, but disproved, that the carriage whose wheel thus gave way was a condemned carriage, taken out of hospital at Oxford only because there was no sound carriage to be had. There have been also charges made as to the improper state of the rails which likewise have not been established. But the only thing like neglect proved is that the telegraph lines were not in complete working order, which certainly increased the delay in obtaining help from Oxford for the injured. It seems to be stated that the tires of the wheels, the fracture of which has frequently given rise to accidents of late, especially on this line—indeed, we believe that it led not very long ago to the death of a director—might be fastened on much more securely than by the ordinary process of contraction, through rivets and bolts which would hold the remainder arm, even though one fragment were to break away. And if this be so, it would surely be a right precaution to take. But as yet the evidence does not sustain the opinion that "culpable pegligence " can be brought home to the Company for this most terrible and fatal of- all railway catastrophes. -
