BLAZING CAR TRAGRY ROUSE ON TRIAL

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1931, Page 5

BLAZING CAR TRAGRY

ROUSE ON TRIAL

(United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.] (Received 10.5 a.m.) LONDON, January 2 <>. The trial of Rouse cabled on Pith December, opened at Northampton Assizes. A queue waited for hours for admission to the limited .-mace in tin* old fashioned court. A majority o,' thi* scats were occupied hy ticket holders.

Rouse was brought by mad from Bedford prison and smuggled in hy the hark entrace of the court. He was well dressed, and pleaded not guilty. lie did not look at his wife who has secured a position in a shop to help raise bunds or his defence. The jury included two women. Many of the spectators were women. Mr Norman Birkett opening the prosecution, emphasised the fact, that though the victim was not identified, it did not effect the legal aspect of the proceedings. Nevertheless it was an important, and significant point. 'I lie defence challenged the women jurors who wore withdrawn and replaced by men. Mr Birkett drew attention to Rouse’s behaviour after the fire when lie emerged from a ditch while two men wore passing and waited until they wore fifteen to twenty yards distant and then said, referring to the blazing motor car a quarter of a mile distant—“ Looks its if someone has a bonfire.' 1

Mr Birkett emphasised it was significant that Rouse did not appear to help, yet it was his own car burning. wit.h an unknown man inside. He added that causes of accidential fire were missing in the present case, as Rouse had already stopped the ear. Exports would show the lire was continually replenished hy a leakage from a loosened petrol pipe. The case was adjourned

| The case is known as the blazing car tragedy, where, an unknown man was found in the remains of a car, and in which Rouse was the driver."]