CYCLISTS KNOCKED DOWN.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18371, 2 May 1925, Page 6

CYCLISTS KNOCKED DOWN.

MOTORIST DENIES ALL KNOWLEDGE. A ease in which it was stated that the driver of a Ford Sedan car going home along Ferry road at midnight, crashed into two' cyclists, and did not know anything l about it, waa heard before Mr W. Meldrum, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday. Thomas Capstiok, of 24 Ford road, Opawa, retired farmer, waa charged with negligent driving and with failing to etog after an accident. Mr W. Ulingworth appeared for him, who pleaded not guilty. , Marcus John Jones, of 43 Rceser's road, St. Martins, said that he was cycling along Ferry road near Fitzgerald avenue shortly after midnight on March 27th in company with C. E. Baldwin. Defendant's car struck him and he clashed into Baldwin. Both were- knocked down. Baldwin called on defendant to stop, but ho increased his speed and hurried on. Witntps took the number of the car and two men further down the street verified the number. Witness* had to go to the hospital for treatment and his machine was damaged yeiiair through being run over. It was a clear night and an electric light waa shining down just where the accident occurred. ' To Mr Illingworth: Witness and his friend were in conversation at the time and the speed of the car was about 20 to 25 miles an hour. Witness immediately went to the police and gave an account of the accident. He did not hear any warning Bounded.

Edward Cyril Baldwin, of 54 Hopkins street, Woolston, gave corroborative evidence and added that when called upon to stop the driver of the car declined to do so, and increased his Bpeed. He did not sound his horn, and farther, did not do so when he reached Fitzgerald avenue. Frederick Beckingsale, of 12 Bordesley street, Linwood, who witnessed the accident, also gave evidence. "Witness said that he heard one of the cyoliets call on the motorist-to stop. The car was doing about 25 milo9 per hour before the impact and then accelerated to about 40 miles an hour.

Thomas Capatick said iliat the first ho knew stout the accident was -when he isceivcd a letter from Jones. He was certainly. on the road at the time, tut felt no impact and knew nothing whatever about an accident. Then he heard from Baldwin. Both made claims on him. Witness had been to Kaispoi and was going home. He bad driven a car for six veare and- had j never had an accident. There were no ! marks of any aort on his car. and he was keeping a uroper look-out all the time, travelling at about 16 miles an hour. "If a man saya'thfct he can drive a Ford Sedan at 40 miles Jin hour," added the witness, "and keep on the road, I'll bet him my car to nothing that lie can't do it." The defence was a completo denial of knowledge of an accident, eaid the Mapistrate. but the witnesses have stated distinctly thai yiero -"is ft collision, and that the defandant did not pull up. Ho must hold that the car caused the accidentDefendant was convicted and fined £1 and costs ion the ferat charge, and .£'2 and costs on the second.