CYCLIST KILLED.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 March 1926, Page 4

CYCLIST KILLED.

[UY TELEGRAPH —PEP. TRESS ASSOCIATION.i

[’AI.MKIISTON. N.. Man'll 17

An inquiry into the circumstances ol the death of Maurice Stewart, aged IS, ’who was picked tip in an unconscious state on thi> Rangitikei line on Monday evening last, and who subsequently succumbed to bis injuries, was held helore Coroner Stout, S.M'. Medical evidence was given by a doctor who was called \ to the scene of the accident. fins was to the ell'eet: that deceased was siiiterilit; from a fractured skull. In tho doctor’s opinion, the deceased was knocked off his bicycle, being si rue,; from behind. It was quite plain Mmi the deceased had not skidded and fatlon oil' on his own account. John Harold Wat' deposed ne was driving to Palmerston North from PoUding on the night of Lhc accident. Near Whiskev Creek, on the Ramji:ikei line, lie had seen a man either pushing or standing beside a motor cycle. He could not remember wined. The man appeared to he going in the direction of Newbury. A little later witness noticed the body ol a man on tho mad. Medical aid was then summoned. Witness had seen broken glass on the road. Prom experience, he would sav it was glass of the type used for motor cycle lamps. Constable Thorn said Unit he had visited a. room near the. Newbury Cheese pari my. and had seen in bed there Herbert Mieliael Bailey, who was suffering from recent injuries to the head, which lie said were due to a fall from a cycle. An examination ol Bailey’s motor cycle revealed Hint I be himn hud been slaved in and only one small

piece of- glass was left. On the front spring were skin and bloodstains. Bailey also stated that on the evening of the fatality lie had returned from Palmerston. After passing Mangaono bridge, he remembered nothing more until he found himself pushing his cycle through a gate. Herbert .Michael Bailey, who entered tho box with his head bandaged, after the usual warning, said that after passing Alangaone bridge, his only recollection was that of picking himself up ; off the metal near Newbury Factory, a 'distance of three miles from tho bridge. He still thought ho had fallen from ; his motor cycle, through skidding on 1 loose metal. The Coroner’s verdict was that deceased died from injuries sustained through being knocked off his bicycle by a motor cycle ridden by Herbert , Michael Bailey. Bailey was then charged, under Section 27 of tho Motor Vehicles Act, with negligently driving a motor veh’ivlo and thereby causing tho death of Maurice Stewart. Accused was remanded till Tlmrs- ’ dny.