SEQUEL TO MOTOR FATALITY

Hokitika Guardian, 2 October 1920, Page 3

SEQUEL TO MOTOR FATALITY

INQUEST PROCEEDINGS. j (Per Press Association.) j GISBORNE, October 1. An inquest was opened concerning the death of Bertie Athol Rhodes, a -e----turned soldier, 27 years of age, mi married who died in Cook Hospital, following injuries received in a collision between a motor car and a motor cycle ridden by Rhodes on September 26th. The evidence given showed that the car was atrossing over Main St from a side street when the car struck the cycle'. Both were on the right sides. A police witness estimated the speed of the car at ten miles per hour. Another witness said that the cyclist was travelling at seven or eight miles per hour. ■ Mary Alice Leslie, fourteen years of age, driver of the car, said - that a tvamcar was standing in Main Street almost at its intersection. Witness sounded the horn three times. When she saw the cycle witness swerved, but the ieyele swerved alio (towards' the car. The tram obstructed her view j Witness was travelling not more than ten miles per hour. The brakes did not act straight away, a fact whichwitness could not account for. Witness bad driven a car into town six or seven times previously and had also driven another ear. j The tram driver in giving evidence, said that the girl was driving between 25 and 28 miles an hour. As far as witness could see the girl made no at tempt to slacken speed when approaching the intersection. Tbo motor cyclist was travelling at 10 miles per hour on his right side. The inquest, has been adjourned til] Tuesday.