COLONEL SWEETZER'S DEATH

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 277, 19 August 1919, Page 6

COLONEL SWEETZER'S DEATH

MOTOR-CAB FALLS OVER A BANK.

Tho cwuso of the death of Lieut.Colonel Daniel James Sweetzer, who was killed as the result of a motor-car accident near l'ahautanui on Friday afternoon, was investigated by the coroner, Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., yesterday. Sergeant Wade conducted tho proceedings for the police. Constable ,1. C. Dromgool said that on Friday, in company with Sergeant Wade, ho proceeded to the scone of tho fatality, which was a point three miles along "the Old Belmont; Road from Pahautanui. Deceased was pinned underneath the motor-car, which had capsized at a hairpin bend in the road. The car, which weighed about 25cwt., iiad fallen about 10ft'. Deceased was ciuite dead when the car had been removed. George James Pearce, farmer, of Pahautanui, said that about 1.15 p.m. on Friday he was driving some sheep along the Belmont Road when he saw a motorcar lying upside down in a gully. On examitialioh, lie found a .man lying underneath, but ho could not move him. Witness immediately _ rode home and telephoned for tho police. Witnes.3 said that the locality where the car fell over tho bank was very oharp and dangerous. After the car had been brought back to iilio road it was ascertained that a rubber buffer had worked loose and had fallen between the spring and the steoring rod. Such a circumstance would interfere with the steering of a ca.r and might have been responsible for the accident. The road was not generally used by motorists, tho usual practice being to travel from Pahautanui via Haywards. It was about two years since a motorist had used the Belmont Road, which was in a verv bad condition. William F. J. Blakiston, medical student, a stepson of the deceased, said the. latter was a retired Annjl officer. Deceased, who was 'U years of age, and an expert motor (driver, had never been over tho Belmont Road before. "Witness last saw the, deceased on Wednesday, when lio was proceeding to I'almerston North. At that time deceased had intended to return via Poriruu. Witness agreed with tho opinion of Mr. Pcareo that the fact of the, rubber buffer felting between tho spring and tiro steering rod might liave caused tho accideut._ Harry Riley, motor importer, said I hat decopsid was employed by bis firm. The ear ho was driving was of 15 h.p. and was in good order. Deceased was an expert, driver. Wit lie;- concurred with the opinions of other witnesses as to tho probable cause of the accident. The enroner c:\id that deceased had evidently taken a wrong turnin;;, for about '.) o'clock in the morning lie had inquired Ihe way from Pah.nilaiiiii to Belmont. There wore no actual eye-witnesses of the accident, but it seemed that it must have bsen duo to the buffer falling between tho spring and the steering rod. A verdict was returned that deceased was killed as tho result of a motor-car falling over a bank at a narrow part of tho road. The, accident, added Mr. Riddoll, was most unfortunate. Tho deceased was a capable driver, and in perfect health and strength, but, of course, it was impossible for tho mishap to havo been anticipated,