HIKURANGI TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 6 August 1930, Page 3

HIKURANGI TRAGEDY

. J.UItY AGAIN DISAGREE. . Tel^|raph—Pery Press- Association.^ V " AUCKLAND, .-Aug; .. p| ; . For tlje;. second /time. the juryi fjailp<i l to agree 'art thef ’S uprerne Goifrt Qli'.a, charge- of ‘ driving’ fought 1 against ftfhe driver of the ithat ooncemM in ] the, Hikur^rigi, crossing tragedy'] -of;- Abril- - dtH. * last.: j: The hue, was struck .-byf-a* train,. and of the teh passenger?,; six.; were killed, 5 and . forirj were- severely iiijured. ' The driver*''of the^usfJsiNroel-: Herbert. Wilkinson; aged 18 (Mr "Singer) was tried without result last week, and the second trial beI , gan-oil Monday. Mr:.Justice Herdman ; Y heard thf case, and Mr Meredith conducted the prosecution. Continuing- his cross-examination by Mr to-day, the accused said he did not- see the sign post warning of the .crossing because it was on the / and he was. looking on his lefG*' He; ; never., got a glimpse of the train atl'any time,"and ' did not know it was there until it hit the bus. Mr Singer submitted that the bniy possibiepexpiahation of the accident was thattfgiven by the accused— -that he was dazj|ed by the lights of a following / car. and-Jlost his bearings. -i \ His Honour directed the jury, ; tq cori'ljM- sidef.-'it^- case apart from.the tragic consequences of ; the ~ accident...' The-’qiiestioii-^khoy-had-to'-'answer was: Did? this.young man- keep a proper look-, out?-. •' |l}. 1 : After’an absence for the full period, the jury returned to report no prospect of an agreement. Mr-Meredith’s application for a new trial at'the next criminal sessions in three months’ time was granted and accused was released on his previous bail.