YOUTH CHARGED

Hokitika Guardian, 3 May 1929, Page 6

YOUTH CHARGED

WITH NEGLIGENT DRIVING IV TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. AUCKLAND, May 2. On a charge of negligently driving a motor car on April 19, and causing the death of Diana Victoria Menzies, aged three years, Francis Clarence Beresford Powe, aged 18, was to-day committed to the Supreme Coui't for trial. Evidence was given that the child was following her eJder. sister across the read when she was run over by the car which was stated to be travelling at 25 to 40 miles an hour, and which did not stop after the accident. Sir Graeme Lockhart, who was riding a motor bicycle some distance behind, said he recognised the car as belonging to Power, who was his cousin. He set out in pursuit of it. but after stopping to inform some workmen of the accident, he lost sight o/ the car. Mabel Francis Hudson, a passenger in Power’s car, said she thought the child had got safely over. She could not say what, speed they were going but she knew it was not great, as she got nervous in cars. The car was then driven to Power’s home, and after he had put in some more benzine, they drove back to Lucerne Road, although they had got no message regarding an accident. Seeing a crowd of people at Mr Menzie’s home, they went to ask if there had been aiy\ mishap. . Results of a test of the car, carried out on Lucerne Road, were detailed bv a constable, who said the hand brake on the car was useless, and us ing the foot brake, the car at 20 miles an"hour took 19 yards to pull up. The car ran 17 yards without skidding, and Skidded the last two yards. The loot brake was in fair order, but it uas slow to act.

A verdict “that the cause of the child’s death was a fracture of the skull caused by being knocked down and run over by n car driven by Rower” was returned at the inquest which was held simultaneously with the hearing of the charge.