THE CHRISTCHURCH MOTOR FATALITY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 232, 5 November 1909, Page 2

THE CHRISTCHURCH MOTOR FATALITY.

UUAiriIKEVS COMMITTED i«'UK i ivii.iju. J I'Uii yUJiS'iIOM oif KOBllllii'lX Uy Telegraph.—l'resn Association. 1 Christclmroli, Lust Night. 1 Al tlic .Magistrate a Court tins' alter- i 1101)11, before .Mr. T. A. 13. Uailcy, S. UUie chaiige of manslaughter agauut A ■ I A. Humphreys (oil remand) was resuiu- . | ed. Counsel for accused said he intended i | culling evidence simply on the question i oi his alleged insobriety. Ueorge John Smith, lieutenant-colonel in the No. 2 Infantry Battalion, a merehaul and a member of the Legislative council, slated tliat he was at YaldImrst 011 October 13th, and was on duty as one of the umpires' at the military manoeuvres. Owners of motor-cars had placed their curs at the disposal oi the defence authorities lor the purpose of conveying troops to Yaldhurst. nc believed, but diu uoi know of his own knowledge, tliat Humphreys' car was ainongsi tlieni. On that afternoon he had JirsL seen accused between il.-IO and I 4 o'clock. Accused was standing by ais| ■ motor-car. Heplyiag to witness, accused had stated that iiis car could carry lour, - or, including himself, live, i.iiness nad r instructed Captains Salter and I'autt f and other ollicers to go by accused's

cur. Counsel: Had you gone to ask Humphreys for a purpose';—Ves. I Did you speak lo him in consequence of something that had been said about his sobriety or want of sobriety?— Yes. I Did you salisfy yourself as to his condition?—! was satisfied tliat lie was sober. 1 turned to Captain Salter and 'said, "This man is all right," or some-

thing to that eil'ecl. Continuing, witness stated tliat •«! would not have had any hesitation in

going in Humphreys' car himself. If there had been any risk witness would have probably kept the car back, but he did not consider that there was any risk

at all. There were some men in the car before the ollicers got in. He had ordered the men to go lirst to pay the men. Counsel for the prosecution: Did you instruct the men to keep their eye on Humphreys?—Xo. 1 dont think I did.

Was the reason that that car was away first that you had been spoken to as to the condition of Humphreys?— That was the reason. The otlieer commanding the district told me that it had been reported Uml Humphreys had been drinking. Would X sec to him and get him away early? 1 wanted the (paymaster to get to town early, and sent him off by the first car. Captain l'avitt was paymaster. Notwithstanding the commandingofficer's remark, you said nothing to the men in the car!— Certainly not. I thought he was sober. 1 was satisfied he was sober.

Charles James Cooper, lieutenant-col. of the volunteers and manager in Cliristchuroli of the London and Liverpool and Globe Insurance Company, stated thai lie was one of the umpires at the mQnioeuvres, and, being anxious to get his Lyttelton men away, he had asked the accused if he was going to town and if he would take some of the men. Co). Smith had stopped them going, as lie wanted his officers to get to town. Counsel: What was Humphreys' condition at that time?—To the best of my knowledge lie was all right. You saw nothing to suggest to you that he was under the inllucnec of liquor?— Nothing at all. Had you sullicient opportunity of, judging, do you think, supposing lie had been?—l spoke to him, and I think 1 should have noticed anything wrong. If that had been so 1 should not have put my men in his car. You are accustomed to dealing with men. Do you think if anything had been wrong with liim you would have noticed it?—l think so. Would yon have had any hesitation in going in the car yourself?— None. Continuing, witness said that he was about thirty yards away from accused's car when he started. Humphreys enme into town from the scene of the accident in the car in which witness was. He had gone with Humphreys to the police station, and had heard his statement.

Dr, Gibson stated that llumpiireys had been hi 'his company at Ynldhurst for about half an hour, and he had ample opportunity of judging of his condition. Counsel: What was his condition?— He was certainly not intoxicated, He was in a normal condition. It did not occur to you that there was anything wrong with him?—l did not. think anything about it. Further evidence having been given, the accused was committed for trial.