WAIKANAE MOTOR FATALITY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3023, 15 April 1926, Page 2

WAIKANAE MOTOR FATALITY.

COMPLAINT OF UNDUE HASTE.

rIOHOWIIENUA COUNTY'S PROTEST. At the inquest on a Wellington ndy who recently lost her life by [he overturning of a motor car at iVaikanae, the coroner’s verdict drew attention to the absence of lighting at the part of the road where the accident occurred. This matter was under discussion at the meeting of the liorowhenua County Council on Saturday.

In making a statement regarding the unfortunate affair, the chairman, Cr. G. A. Monk, said that ho did not wish to discuss the details or cause of the accident, but he would like to draw the council’s attention to the undue haste with which the inquest was held. He asked whether they should not make some representations on the subject. He learnt of the accident between 9.30 and 10 o’clock on the Saturday morning, when a friend rang him up. He immediately rang up the engineer’s house, but he was not at home, and the speaker left a message for him to come immediately to Waikanae. Mr. Anderson did so and discussed the matter with the speaker, who instructed the engineer to return to Levin and get in touch with the council’s solicitors. No intimation was received however, from the coroner or the police, who really conducted the inquest, that the inquiry was to take place. Yet evidence was given by witnesses brought by the police that was absolutely condemnatory of the council’s position, and the council had no opportunity of being represented or of cross-examining the witnesses. The first official indication they received was when the inquest was over and a verdict returned that was condemnatory of the council. He did not know exactly what position they should take up, but he certainly thought that representations should be made to’ the Justice Department on the subject. He did not think it wise at this juncture to discuss the why and the wherefore of the accident. He felt very much upset when he heard of it and deeply regretted the unfortunate occurrence But it. was. a most unjust action that was taken, whether by the coroner or by the police department. It was very wrong on the part of the responsible people that the County Council was not notified and given an opportunity of being present at the inquest. As a local body they had done everything that they could be .called upon to do for the protection of life, and in fairness to them, when the police knew the class of evidence that was to be called, notice of the inquest should have been given. The engineer said he was notified at (i o’clock on Saturday, when he was rung up and told that a verdict had been returned against the council, and that the road was very dangerous. He went to Otaki at once, and when he got there he was handed the evidence and the verdict.

After a general discussion it was moved by Cr. Ilarkness and seconded by Cr. Broadbclt: “That the Justice Department be written to, stating that this council emphatical iv protests against the discourtesy of the ollicials responsible in omitting to give this council an opportunity to give evidence at the inquest held at Otaki, in which this council was vitally interested.” , The resolution was carried.