DAMAGES OVER £200 GIVEN.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1755, 21 May 1913, Page 4

DAMAGES OVER £200 GIVEN.

MRS. SIIAPCOTT'S CASE. His Honour the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) presided at yesterday's sitting of tlio Supreme Court. Henry' Shapcott and Sophia Frances Shapcott claimed ,£333 6s. as damages from Melville lloneyman Robertson, whoso motor-ear was said to have run down Mrs. Shapcott in Karori Eoad, near the Botanical Gardens, on tlio afternoon of December 21. Tlio plaintiffs are residents of Northland, and the defendant is a hotel licensee and mofor-ear proprietor.

Mr. M. Myers, with him Mr. P. H. Putnam, appeared for the plaintiffs; and Sir John l-'indlay, IC.C., with him Mr. D. it. Hoggard, represented the defendant.

Mr. Jlyers, in his opening address, said that the damages were claimed respecting au accidcnt which happened between four and five o'clock on tlio afternoon of December 21, Jlrs. Shapcott being run over by d&fendant's motor-car, which was at tho time driven by n servant of defendant's. The claim was for .£3OO general damages and J.'33 Cs. special damages. Mrs. Shapcott and her daughter were walking down the road when the car suddenly came upon them, and before sho could escape, Mrs. Shapcott was struck in the back, run over, and dragged some distance. Plaintiffs alleged negligence, for whic'li the defendant was responsible, in that the! car had been driven on a wrong course, and at an excessive speed, having regard to the nature, condition, ■ and use of the highway; in giving 110 warning of approach, and in failing to stop the car quickly after the accident..

Defendant, too, alleged negligence, say-' ing that Mrs. Shapcott failed to take notice of the repealed soundings of the motor-horn;, that she went to that side of tho road on which it was intended that the car should pass her; and that she failed to cxercise sufficient caro in regard to traffic. After a Short retirement, the jury of four returned with a verdict for the plaintiffs for ,£33 6s. special damages, and .£175 general damages, a total of .2208 Gs. DIVORCE CASE. Henry Ernest Harvey was granted a decree nisi against Ruby Ella Harvey, on the ground of misconduct. Mr. D. G. Jackson appeared for tho petitioner.