DEATH OF MR. COOPER

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 257, 18 July 1918, Page 7

DEATH OF MR. COOPER

■ 0 CONCLUSION OF INQUEST "INJURES accidentally RECEIVED" Tlio inquest concerning the death of Sir. Ormonil C. Cooper, who died on Sat-in-day Inst as the result of an accident "in Molesworth Street oil the previous ■Wednesday, when returning from the Wellington races, was concluded yesterday. Tlio Coroner (Mr. AV. G. liiddell, S.M.) presided over the inquiry. Mr. .11. F. O'Leary amiearcd for Michael Aearney, driver of tho motor-ear in which Mr. Cooper was travelling at tlio time of the mishap, Mr. T, Neave represented -Messrs. Mutit, Cottrell, and Co., one cf whoso lorries was involved in the nceldont, and Mr. J. O'Sliea, city solicitor, watched tho proceedings on behalf of the Oity Corporation. Sergeant Wade conducted the inquiry on behalf of the police. After considering the evidence, the Coroner returned a verdict that tho death of Mr. Cooper was due to injuries accidentally received. John James Black, tramway motorman, fflaid ho was driving a ear in Molesworth Street at the timo of the accident. There was a motor-car ahead of him and another alongside of him about the vicinity of tho Princess Hotel. Kearney was driving tho big car alongside of him, and kept abreast of him about !iOO yards down Molesworth Street. AVitness, who nvas travelling at about eight miles an Jiour, 'was in the loop at the Metropolitan Jlotel when the collision took place about 100 yards away. Witness, could see thai the truncal in front of him had stopped in an unusual place. The motorinun of tho first tram (Hyde) toKl witness that there had beon a collision. To Sergeant AVade: He heard Kearney say something to tho driver of the lorry about "AVhere are your lights?" but he did not hear the reply. Witness looked for a light, kit did not look under the lorry for one. Frank James Griffin, a lorry driver in tho employ o" Munt, Cottrell, and Co., who was driving the lorry with which the collision occurred, said that he was on the tight-hand side of the road. The reason ho was there was because the loft side of the road.was too narrow to allow him to pass a car safely. Tho night was dark, and lie'was carrying a licht beneath tho shaft on the right-hand side of tho lorry. He saw a traniear approaching him, anil then two motor-cms came into view. He was only travelling about three miles per hour when he Jcrosscd tho tramline, but when ho saw [tho tram and the motor-cars he stopped to allow tho motor-cars to pass. AVitness presumed that Kearney was under tlio impression that the tramcar was going on to a loopline. The lorry was struck on tlio near side at the end of the shaft. AVitness considered that tho driver of the taxi-car was travelling at an exce.inive speed. The lorry was stopped dead close to tho gutter. To Mr. Neave: AVlien he left Molesworth Street, and until he arrived at Aitken Street, ho was on tlio left-hand side of tho roadway. AVlien approaching Aitken Street tlio practice of drivers was to pass on to tho right-hand side of tho road as it was far 100 dangerous to risk proceeding along oil llie "left-hand side of the street. Oil the left-hand sido there was only a few inches to spare in .which to drive a lorry between the kerb and n passing tramcar. . The thoroughfaro was dangerous on that side on account of its narrow width. When going to the stables the horses were keen, ami if they became fractious the risk of accident was very great. ' In view of these circumstances lie deemed it advisable to cross over lo the Aitken Street side of tlio road. He could honestly, swear thai lie was carrying a light. Tlio fust luotor-car passed between the lorry and tho tramcar. The horses never moved before the accident. AVitness was thrown olf tho lorry by tho force of tho collision. To Mr. O'Leayy: The lamp was tied on to the front part of the lorry with hemp. After, tho accident Ihc lamp was missing. AVlien asked about a light, witness replied: "How can you expect to lind ft lamp after such a smack?" There was ample room for a motor-car to pass between the lorryvand the tramcar. Jlo had stopped when the first motor-car passed, and was in the same position .when Kearney's ear approached. Ac-examined by Mr. Neavc, witness eaid Kearney's car was behind the tramcar when he first noticed if. Constable Thomas C. Swan, who proceeded to the scene of tho accident, said the taxi-cab was lying 12ft. from the water table, and occupied, about sft. of the street. Tho width of the lorry was 6ft. Sill. Between tlio kerb on tho lefthand side of tho street going up and the tram rails the distance was 9ft. 2in., nnd on tho right-hand side Kift. Sin. The total width of the road where the accident took place was about _ His AVorship reviewed the evidence ;:t fomo length, and said that in his opinion tlio verdict must, bo that the deceased died from injuries accidentally received in a collision in Molesworth Street on tho evening of .Tulv Ifl. "I do not. think in tho I'.ire.umsbi.ncn.-; nnv blame can be nt.tached to the rlrivr of the motor-car," remarked TTi«' Worship, "and so far as tho drivPi of the lorry is concerned 1 tnako no remark.'"