“Off-Side” Rule

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 308, 20 March 1928, Page 1

“Off-Side” Rule

quoted in claim for DAMAGES MOTOR-CAR SMASH SEQUEL A collision between two motor-cars which occurred on January 23 at the intersection of Walters Road and Dominion Road was the subject of a c laim for £IBO damages in the Magistrate’s Court by Victor M. Simpson, accountant, the owner of the wrecked Sedan car, against L. G. Watson, builder, who it was alleged was the decisive cause of the accident because he failed to observe the ctff-side rule. Mr. Qatenby appeared for the plaintiff and Mr. Luxford for the defendant, and the case concluded yesterday after a hearing lasting three half-days. A number of witnesses were called for the plaintiff, who said that Watson drove his car out of Walters Road so rapidly that he failed to notice Simpson's car proceeding across the intersection. The plaintiff contended that the offside rule was no new rule, but was as old as the rule of keep to the left, and that it was the only rule for safety at Intersections. The defendant alleged that his view of the Dominion Road traffic was blocked by people waiting for the tramcar and that he did not see Simpson’s car coming on. Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., who visited fehe scene of the accident, and viewed the wrecked car, reserved his decision, having during the hearing refused to grant & non-suit moved by counsel tor the defendant, on the ground of contributory negligence on the part of the plaintiff. It was stated that the off-side rule had been gazetted, and was now law throughout New Zealand. It had been •i by-law in Auckland City for some time.