HIRED CAR WRECKED

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 96, 14 July 1927, Page 13

HIRED CAR WRECKED

BANK CLERK SUED

• WHANGAREI, To-day. A ca3e involving a claim for nearly £•200 occupied the attention of Mr. F. H. Levien, at the Whangarei Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday until € p.m.

The action arose through Frank Hammond, a cashier in the Commercial Bank. Auckland, hiring a car from Frank Anedrson, of Whangarei, and wrecking it before returning it. Defendant had blamed the brakes as being ineffective, and a depression at a small bridge, which was the cause of the accident, saying it was sheer bad luck and not his fault. Evidence was given by several witnesses that the brakes were in perfect order. Eye-witnesses said the speed of the car as it approached the bridge was terrific, and when it struck the bump caused by the depression, it leaped through the air from 15ft. to 20ft. before striking the roadway again. It then rushed on for about two chains, getting further off the road, until finally it crashed, landing on the radiator. The whole of the body was pushed back on the chassis for nine or ten inches, and the body, radiator, windscreen, hood and running boards totally wrecked. Defendant said he was only travel-

ling 20 to 25 miles an hour, and the evidence of the witnesses who said he was going well over 40 was incorrect. The car after striking the bump at the bridge ran along for a little and then toppled over. A number of witnesses testified that In their opinion defendant was driving carefully. At the conclusion of the case, the magistrate said he could easily give judgment there and then, but he preferred viewing the scene, and would give his decision next court day.