Massey College Student Sues Umutoi Motorist

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 34, 10 February 1937, Page 6

Massey College Student Sues Umutoi Motorist

’ CLAIM FOLLOWS COLLISION IN FITZHERBERT AVENUE. Before his Honour, Mr. Justice John a tton, iu the Supreme Court at Pairner- [ stou North yesterday, John Bolton, a Massey College (through his guardian, . L. L. Yates, college registrar) claimed » from Alfred Henry Martin, sawimlier, - of Umutoi, £879 Ids in damages. The uaim arose from a collision in Fitzbcrbert avenue on September ID last be tween a motor-cycle ridden by Bolton t and a fellow student, and a car driven l in the opposite direction by Martin. i The coihsiou wus the subject of u • charge heard last week ugainst Martin * of negligent driving, when a jury found him guilty and his Honour Mr. Justice Ostler imposed a line of £SO. j Mr. H. it. Cooper represented Boiton, . and Mr. L. G. H. Sinclair, Martin, i When the case was culled by the . registrar, Mr. Sinclair intimated lo iiis > Honour that although a statement ot • defence had been liled, this was now' abandoned and liubility admitted, it remained to settle tho amount of ■ damages. ilia Honour: Do you require a jury? Mr. Cooper said he had been advised > by Mr. Sinclair of the position, und * thought that if an adjournment for an ■ hour were granted, a settlement might 1 be reached between the parties. Even then the Court’s approval would be I required, as Holton was a minor. His Honour said a jury could be empanelled if required and then released until the case proceeded, but Mr. Groper thought this unnecessary. “I have faith in the Court to settle tho matter as satisfactorily as a jury," said Mr. Cooper. Jurors were therefore discharged until to-day. Bolton’s claim was for £3B 2s hospital fees, £2O 5s medical, £l2 30s massage, £8 10s dental, £3 3s, £1 Is chemistry fees, £lO damage to motor-cycle—a total of £l2O 18s; and £750 general personal damages. Counsel discussed a settlement, but it is not yet known whether settlement? will bo reached or whether tho case will go to trial