NEWMARKET FATALITY

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1032, 24 July 1930, Page 12

NEWMARKET FATALITY

MOTORIST FACES CHARGE OF NEGLIGENCE DEATH OF PEDESTRIAN Charged with negligently driving a motor-car in Broadway, Newmarket, on July 7, so as to cause the death of William John Robert Garrard, who died the same evening in tho Auckland Hospital, Arthur Stanley Neale, salesman, of Mount Eden, appeared in the Police Court yesterday afternoon. An Inquest was conducted simul taneously by the magistrate, Mr. F. K. Hunt. Mr. Mackay and Mr. Sellar appeared for accused and Chiet-Detectivo Hammond prosecuted. Mr. Butler watched the case on behalf of Garrard’s widow. Garrard, who was 57 years old, resided at 67 Mount St. John Avenue, Epsom. Medical evidence stated that the cause of death was a fracture of the base of the skull. Evidence was given by Alexander Lawrence, who was standing opposite Garrard’s shop at 5.45 p.m. on July 7. He heard a crash of glass and saw Neale’s car swerve toward the kerb. At Neale’s request witness assisted to carry Garrard’s body from the centre of the road. He did not see the fatality actually occur. The headlights of the car were not on. HEARD THE IMPACT

Howard Errol Hay, a clerk, said the speed of Neale's car was about 25 miles an hour in his opinion. 1-Ie heard a bang and an object appeared to fly out from the back of the car. dropping in the road about five yards from the back of the car when it pulled up. “The car was on its correct side and travelling toward Newmarket.” said witness. “I did not see Garrard before he was knocked down” Mr. Mackay said he had found it hard to obtain witnesses, although hp had been given the names of a number of persons by Detective-Sergeant Martin, who had charge of the police case. Counsel had been in touch with one man whom he considered to be tho best eye-witness of the accident, but he had heard that the police would not call him, although the man’s name had been given to them. Mr. Hunt adjourned the case and the inquest until this afternoon, stat ing that he would take steps to see that the man was In attendance. When witness first saw the car it was on the ingoing tramline. I-Ie did not see Garrard being struck. Hillier Russell, petrol station proprietor, said ho was almost opposite Garrard’s shop. He was in his office at 5.45 on July 7, when he heard the screech of wheels and saw a car just pulling up beside the kerb, about seven feet from the sidewalk. He heard the driver say to a man named Lawrence, who was standing there: “Give me a lift.” He saw the driver a.nd Lawrence pick up a man from the roadway. The skidmarks on the road were made by Neale’s car. When witness first saw the car it was on the ingoing tramline. He did not see Garrard being struck. Hillier Russell, petrol station proprietor, said he was almost opposite Garrard’s shop. He was in his office at 5.45 on July 7, when he heard the screech of wheels and saw a car just pulling up beside the kerb, about seven feet from the sidewalk. He heard the driver say to a man named Lawrence, who was standing there: "Give me a lift.” He saw the driver and Lawrence pick up a man from the roadway. T9ie skid-marks on the load were made by Neale's car. (Proceeding.)