PLAYING IN STREETS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 72, 16 June 1927, Page 15

PLAYING IN STREETS

danger to children inquest on boy of seven “There has been a lot of trouble ; n the past with children playing ■ bout in the streets. They are a source of danger on account of the buß y nature of this particular itreet,” Constable du Temple told the coroner. Mr. F. K. Hunt, yesterday afternoon.

The constable's statement referred to the death of William Gordon Holmes, L boy of 7 years and 8 months, who a 3 mn over by a motor-lorry in Fanshawe street on May 24. Seville Holmes, the dead boy's eipht-vear-old brother, told the coroner that about 3.30 p.m. on May 24, after going ,int Ir° m school the two saw a motorjorry unloading firewood in Duke Street. • We helped the man to unload the wood,” he said, "and then went for a drive with him to the Kauri Timber Company's mill in Fanshawe Street.” ■The truck stopped in front of the mill and we got oft'. There was another car standing in front of the truck, and we started to play "tag” around the two ears. My younger bother, Harry, ant. myself, were chasing Willie.

"He started to run across the street and did not see a truck which was going toward the city. He ran right into the truck and struck his head and fell under it. Ono wheel passed over him.” Samuel Whitford, the driver of the lorry. 3ai<l lle llad about a ton of iron on the lorry at the time. He accompanied the boy to the hospital, but he died just before they got there. Constable du Temple had known Whitford about two years, and said that he was a careful driver, A verdict of accidental death in accordance with the medical evidence was recorded.