CLAIM FOLLOWS COLLISION ON OHAU BRIDGE

Chronicle (Levin), 21 February 1947, Page 2

CLAIM FOLLOWS COLLISION ON OHAU BRIDGE

PASSENGER GIVEN DAMAGES A claim for £33 15s special and £50 general damages was heard in the Magistrate's Court, Otaki, yesterday by Mr. A. M. Goulding, S.M. Plaintiff was Diane Brightwell (Mr. C. F. Atmore) and defendant was Peter Royal (Mr. B. H. Rhodes)'. It arose out of a collision on the Ohau Bridge in June last between a heavy truck and a car driven by Royal in which plaintiff was a passenger. For plaintiff it was stated that defendant had invited her and another young lady to go with him to Levin. The three occupants of the "car were injured and removed to the Palmerston North Hospital. Plaintiff was in hospital for thirteen days, but on account of a shortage of beds at the hospital was sent.home for a complete rest for an additional month. Although unfit for work, she had resumed within two and a-half weeks of leaving the hospital. Mr. Atmore considefed that the claim was a very moderate one, and that the amohnt had been kept . down orr account of the fact that the I defendant was only a young man. [He considered £50 for general dam- . ages was a very small sum. Plaintiff 's mother was a widow, wno lived in Dannevirke, v/hile plaintiff was a young girl of 17 years. • | The magistrate eommented that I i.t was not so much the question of | evidf-nce, but general damage to be j decided. I Diane Brightwell stated that she was 17 years of age, was employed j m ths Textile Company's works at 1 Otaki, and as a result of the acciI ient ha d cuts on both legs and one I on the forehead. She also suffered i from headaches. while her frock ) valued at £6 19s 6d, was badly dam- ! aged. She had had it only aboul j three months. Mr. Rhodes stated th°t witimss }had accepted the hospitality of the j defendant. He mamtained that part-s of the claim were excessive and the magistrate agreed. Mrs. Margaret Brightwell, mothei of wit-ness, stated that her daugheu still suffered from headaches and had been in very indifferenl health for some time. Kurk Hager, manager of Textiles Vid.. stated that for a time Mis? Brightwell had been unable tc work. He considered that she wa* not yet back to normal health. • - Mr. Rhodes. after again objecting Lo the charge of certain items oointed out that Royal was only i !ad of 18 years. He had beer occepted for the navy. Witness hac -uffered no nermanent injury anc all wounds ho.d healed. The magistrate allowed the sun of £61 18s. £35 being for genera damage. Court costs amounted t( £2 16s, solicitor's fee £4 3s and witness' expenses £1 6s.