AN EXPENSIVE SKID.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 July 1920, Page 11

AN EXPENSIVE SKID.

j CAR CARRIES ALL BEFORE IT. Charges against a motorist, Hugh Currie, of having driven his motor car negligently and in a dangerous manner, which came before Mr, J. E. Wilson, S.M., at Auckland on Friday last (says the Star), arose out of an accident beside the Ferry Building, on March 23, when tlie motor car swept against seats alongside the seawall in Quay Street, and knocked a man and his wife into the harbor. Evidence was given by four spectators that the car came down Albert Street at a speed estimated variously between 25 miles and >SO miles an hour, that the brakes were put on as the car approached tlie junction of Albert Street with Quay Street, and that the car skidded ridewise across the street. The result of the collision was that David Guest, of Rangiriri, and his wife, who were on one seat, were thrown into the water, one having an ankle broken, while George Allen and a ljdy, who were on another seat, suffered bruises. The defendant declared that the speed of the car down Albert Street, was 15 to 17 miles per hour, which was decreased as the car crossed Customs Street, but as he approached the Quay Street corner his accelerator jammed, and he threw out the clutch and applied the brakes. The asphalt surface of the road at the corner was greasy after a shower, with the result that the car skidded right across the street. George Coughley, a passenger in the car, and two other witnesses, declared that the speed of the car was not excessive. -Mr. Hall Skelton, for counsel, mentioned that repairs to the car had cost the defendant about £7O.

The Magistrate held that the speed in the upper part of Albert Street was excessive, and that the defendant did not use the caution necessary at the Quay Street corner. Defendant was convicted of negligent driving, and fined Is, and £22 7s costs.