SEQUEL TO FATALITY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 693, 19 June 1929, Page 11

SEQUEL TO FATALITY

CAR DRIVER BEFORE COURT NEGLIGENCE CHARGE (From Our Own Correspondent) PUKEKOHE, Today. A service-car driver, Frederick Charles Alexander, of Waiuku, appeared in the Police Court this morning charged with negligently driving a motor-car on the Paerata Road on May 9, thereby causing the death of Mr. T. M. Robertson, of Aka Aka. Accused was represented by Mr. R. Gunson, the relatives by Mr. E. G. Foster, and the driver of a gig, Walter Eugene Lubbock, with which the car collided, by Mr. A. Fotheringham. The inquest was taken at the same time, both the magistrate, Mr. F. H. Levien, S.M., and Mr. C. K. Lawrie, district coroner, presiding. Evidence by Dr. L. J. Forman Bell showed that Mrs. Robertson was dead when he arrived. There was a severe injury to the chest caused by the shaft of a gig penetrating - the body. The driver of the gig, Walter Eugene Lubbock, carpenter, of Paerata, stated that he was walking his horse along the road on the left side of the road about 5.30, the gig - being unlit. tie observed a vehicle with one headlight, which lie thought to be a motor-cycle approaching at 150 to 200 yards distant. The horse took fright at what he thought was the reflection of the car light in a puddle of water. The car was about 4u yards off at the time and travelling on the correct side of the road. The horse swerved to the crown of the roadway, witness pulling it back immediately. When almost parallel with the left side of the road a collision occurred. Witness was thrown out of the gig. He could not state whether the overhead electric lamp on the road some 200 yards off, was burning. Even after the horse had shied the accused had sufficient room to pass. (Proceeding.)