TRAMWAY ACCIDENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2053, 13 April 1907, Page 3

TRAMWAY ACCIDENT.

’HE MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE.

AUCKLAND, yesterday. An inquest upon the body of Mr. Charles Henry Huxtable, aged 86, who was knocked down by a tramcar in Karangahape road on the evening of March 2nd, was concluded yesterday,. having lasted upwards of three days. The jury brought in the following verdict: “That the death of Mr. Huxtable was caused by being knocked down by a tramcar, the said car being driven at a greater rate of speed than it was possible for Wilson (the motorman) to pull up in a reasonable distance. 71

The Coroner (Mr. Gresham): That amounts to a verdict of manslaughter. The foreman : We consider that there is no shadow cast on the motorman, and that he did his best to stop the car. The Coroner: The car was in the control of the Tramways Company’s agent, who is responsible. You can qualify your verdict.

A juror: AVe believe the motorman was acting according to instructions. The Coroner: There is no division of criminality.

Tho foreman: AVe consider the car was going at an excessive rate of speed. A ■ juryman: I could not agree to our verdict after hearing what Mr.

Gresham has said. Another juryman: You have signed ib. The Coroner: This is a verdict of manslaughter. Without wishing to direct you in any way, I will say that if the ease went to the Supreme Court it would probably bo thrown out. Sergeant Hendry: As the rci diet stands I have no option but to arrest file motorman. At tills stage the jury received oormission from the Coroner to le-tii-c, and after about 20 minutes’ more deliberation decided to allow their verdict as given above to stand. The following riders were added to the verdict: “That the City Council be asked to take.sucli action as will prevent' such a high rate ol speed as is being run at present m the busiest parts of the city and suburbs ; that the City Council be asked to discontinue the use of salt water on the tram rails, as it is shown conclusively at this inquest that "the said salt water renderc the track dangerous.” Wilson, the motorman was arrested, and taken before Mr. Kettle, S.M., being formally charged with manslaughter and remanded until toBail was allowed. AUCKLAND, last night. Charles Wilson, motorman, who was arrested on a charge of manslaughter in collection with the recent fatal tramway accident on Karangaliake road, has been further remanded tor eight days.