NO GRANT TO W.E.A.

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 262, 4 August 1942, Page 3

NO GRANT TO W.E.A.

Wellington City Council Stands By Decision

CLEANSING SUGGESTION A suggestion that the W.E.A. organization in Wellington 'be ‘ cleansed was made last night by the mayor, Mr. Hislop, to Mr. I>. E. Warner, who represented to tlie Wellington City Council the desire of the Wellington Trades Council that the council reconsider its decision not to make its annual grant this vear to the W.E.?. in Wellington. Mr. Hislop said the general principle behind the W.E.A. was one they all approved; they knew its good work over a considerable period. Taking a practical view, however, they knew that there were associated with tlie. W.E.A. some people whose activities were against the war effort. Mr. Hislop said he had the highest respect for Mr. Warner and he had also seen a letter in the I’ress signed by many reputable citizens concerning the council's decision not to make a grant. However, the council had to consider the facts he had outlined and he would suggest to the W .E.A. mat it cleanse its organization. Ur. Knox Gilmer said she was not sympathetic to pacifists, but the whole of adult education should not have to suffer because of the views of a few people. The W.E.A. had been a great help to many people. Cr. W. Appleton moved that no lurther action be taken. This was carried unanimously. ■

DAMAGES VOR CYCLIST Collision With Taxicab

Damages totalling £llo2/0/b, the full amount claimed, were awarded a cyclist, who had been injured in a collision with a taxicab, by a jury in the l . | P re . u , v ' Court, Wellington, yesterday. With the consent of counsel, the jury s tlireefourths majority verdiet was accepted by the Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers). The cyclist was Maurice Bernard, moulder, and defendant E. G. Mehrtens, the owner of the taxi concerned. Mr. K. E. Pope appeared for Bernard, and Mr. G. I. Joseph for Mehrtens. The statement of claim was that at about 7 a.m. on July 36, 1941. Bernard was riding his bicycle north along Lima Street, and the car owned by Mehrtens was being driven east across the intersection of Wakefield Street and Cuba Street, when the driver of the car, M ilham Nicholls, managed the ear so negligently and unskilfully as to collide with Bernard. His negligence was alleged to consist of failing to keep a proper lookout, failing to give way to traffic approaching from his right, and cutting the corner from Wakefield Street to Cuba Street. As a result of the accident plaintiff said he received a fractured skull, severe concussion, and other wounds and bruises. The defence was that if the accident did occur as stated, it was entirely due to the negligence of Bernard in riding on Hie wrong side of the road, failing to keep a proper lookout, riding at an excessive speed, riding with his head down, failing to slow down, stop, or steer clear of the car, and failing to have his cycle properly lighted. The jury were in retirement nearly an hour and a half.