RUNAWAY MOTOR-LORRY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2663, 7 January 1916, Page 4

RUNAWAY MOTOR-LORRY

CRASHES INTO A HOUSE. A sensational accident occurred }a Glenbervie Terrace, off Tinakori Road, shortly after 1 o'clock yesterday afternoon, when a runaway motor lorry crashed into a house and caused serious damage thereto. The lorry, which is owned by tho New Zealand' Express Companv, had recently been placed in commission after repairs to the radiator. and was engaged in'conveying a full load of furniture up the narrow street, formerly known as Lewisville Terrace, but now called by the name of Glenbervie Terrace —a name also bestowed on other streets in the neighbourhood. As the lorry proceeded up tile rise, the wheels were blocked from behind in case of accident, but tho lorry, it is stated, suddenly commenced to go backwards, over-ran the blocks, and, gathering considerable pace, crashed into the house .at the foot of the street—No. 253 Tinakori Road. The back of the lorry struck the window of a bedroom, smashing the glass to atoms, and knocking the wall itself completely .into tho room. The bedstead next to the wall was buckled out of shape and had anyone been on or near the bed at the time, the result of tho crash might easily have been a fatality. On the previous day, at the same liour, tho occupier of the room, Mr. Marigold, an employee of the Gear Companv, "was in the room, but fortunately for him he happened to beab-i sent yesterday ._ The only person at home at the time of the mishap was. the occupier of the premises, Mrs. Shepherd. Sho was watching the lorry proceed up the hill from the room where the smash occurred, but was able to run to the front of the house when the motor went wrong. Beyond receiving a severe shock sho was not injured. The driver of the lorry and another employee, who was connected with tho Job, also escaped injury. Yesterday the damage to the house had not been esti-' mated, but it will likely run into a .considerable sum.

The railway arrangements for the dispatch of the Auokland military district's quota of men for tho Twelfth Reinforcements and' probationary aiou-commis-Bioned officers for the Fourteenth Rein-' forcements on Tuesday next have been completed (states the "Herald"). All members of the Mounted Rifles and Army Service Corps will proceed to Featherston, via Woodvillo, by the Main Trunk express leaving Auckland at 12.40 p.m. Tho ambulance details will leave Auckland at 8.50 p.m., and will detrain at Palmerston. North for Awapuni camp. All remaining arms from Nos. 1, 2, and 4 groups will leave Auckland for Trentham by special train at 2.50 p.m. Tho jjieu from No. 3 (North Auckland) group will arrive by steamer at 7. p.m. and leavo for Treritham by the 8.50 p.m. train. •