YOUTH CONVICTED

Hokitika Guardian, 15 May 1929, Page 2

YOUTH CONVICTED

OF NEGLIGENT DRIVING.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, May 14

A verdict of “ guilty ” was returned against Francis Clarence Beresford Bowel - , an apprentice jeweller, aged 18 years, by the jury in the Supremo Court, after a lengthy trial, on a charge of negligently driving a motor ear in Lucerne Road, Remuera, and causing tlie death of Diana Victoria Menzies, the four-year-old daughter ol Mr and Mrs A. G, Menzies. The circumstances of the fatality as detailed by eye-witnesses and others who were soon on the scene, were that Power was driving a five-seater car down Lucerne Road on April 10th. The deceased was crossing the road, when she was knocked down by the c:>; mid killed. Power who had a young woman with him, did not stop, ina returned some time later, and then made inquiries at the house of the small girl’s parents.

Summing up, Mr Justice Herdman said that it was significant that blood was found six feet from the right hand kerb, which indicated that Power was on his wrong side of the road. Tlie accident was one of those unfortunate mishaps now occurring almost daily, and the jury had to decide on the facts in a dispassionate manner.

The jury retired at 11.35 a.m. and returned at 3.20 p.m. with a verdict of guilty of negligence. 'Jlie Judge stated the jury had not decided whether the accused had been found guilty of negligence causing death, and be instructed further consideration. After a further short retirement, the jury found the accused guilty of negligence causing death. A strong recommendation to mercy was made on account of tho accused’s youth.

Power was remanded until to-morrow for .sentence.