A MOTOR COLLISION.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 1921, Page 6

A MOTOR COLLISION.

NEGLIGENT DRIVING ALLEGED. CLAIM FOR £225 DAMAGES. Parties concerned in a collision between two motor cars in South Taranaki in September last figured in a case heard at the Supreme Court at New Plymouth yesterday. The action was a claim for £225 damages, and was brought by Robert Leach, taxidriver, of Hawera, against Arthur Sagar, motor proprietor, Hawea, and Alexander Hastie, farmer, of Normanby. Plaintiff alleged that there was negligent driving on the part of defendants. Mr. P. O’Dea (Hawera) appeared for plaintiff, Mr. F. C. Spratt (Hawera; for Sagar, and Mr. C. H. Croker (New Plymouth) for Hastie. The following jury was empanelled: J. McClelland, R. Barlow, W. Cheyne, and G. R. Allen (foreman).

The facts, as outlined by Mr. O’Dea, were that on the date of the accident Leach was coming from Okaiawa to Hawera. On his way back he had to cross the Waingongoro river, near which there was an elbow-shaped bend on an incline. Leach was going down the hill with two passengers and was travelling about 12 miles an hour, when Sagar and Hastie came round the bend (in the opposite direction) at about 35 to 4<o miles an hour. Two natives who saw the accident said that defendants’ car turned the bend sharply on the wrong side. When Leach saw the car coming he took his correct side of the road, pulling in to the left, and Sagar chose the wrong side, with the result that the cars met in collision. Afterwards Sagar asked Leach if he had any money for lawsuits and suggested that each side pay its own costs. Counsel explained at this stage that Hastie was joined as defendant because he was the owmr of the car and was in it at the time of the accident. Sagar was driving. As the result of the collision the repairs to Leach’s car cost £llB 17s. and they were also claiming for the following items: Loss of employment (plaintiff being a taxi-driver) £4O; depreciation on car £5O; general damages £l6 3s.

Evidence of plaintiff was heard and he was subjected to a lengthy cross-exam-ination.

A native named Ngawaka, who resides in the Okaiawa district, said he was driving in gig and Leach passed him in the car. Witness was about two chains away and saw the accident. Leach was on the centre of the road till within a short distance of the other car. when he pulled to his correct side just before the collision occurred. At this stage the adjournment took place and the hearing will be resumed this morning.