CHARGE OF FURIOUS RIDING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 934, 22 December 1910, Page 3

CHARGE OF FURIOUS RIDING.

CASE FAILS

Dargaville, December 20,

Following the verdict of the coroner at the recent inquest touching the death of Stephen Frederick Parker, gumdigger, of Kaihu, as the result of injuries sustained through being knocked down by a horse ridden by Harry Hockey, bushman, twenty years of age, further proceedings were taken to-day by the police. Hockey was charged before Messrs.F. J. Dargaville and A, E. Harding, J.P.’s, with having furiously ridden his horse so as to cause Parker’s death. Accused was defended by MrG. N. Hayes. Procedings lasted all day. Briefly the case for the Crown was that Parker had been drinking with a mate named Larkins in Kaihu, and was walking home. At about 5.30 p.m. they had arrived at a point about half a mile from Kaihu, and about x or 2 chains round a bend in the road, when accused, riding abreast with another man, came galloping round the bend, and Parker sustained injuries to his head. The horseman dismounted, and assisted the man to the side of the road, where he was attended to, and got on his feet. The horseman then rode on home. On the following morning Parker died at the Northern Wairoa Hospital. The police contended that the corner on the road was a dangerous corner, and that in failing to slacken his speed accused was guilty of negligence which caused death. They further contended that accused was guilty ol further negligence in leaving deceased in the company of a man who was under the influence of liquor, and in not obtaining proper medical attention for him.

For the defence a quantity of evidence was led to show that accused was riding at a smart canter, neither furiously nor recklessly, and had perfect command of his horse. Just as accused came within a yard or two of Parker the latter suddenly lurched across the road as a drunken man is apt to do, and this caused the accident. The Bench decided to dismiss the case, and discharged the accused, at the same time complimenting the police on the manner in which they had conducted their case.