STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 August 1921, Page 6

STRATFORD.

STBATFORD AGENCY. Advertisements and items of news for {mblication in tte Tar&nak'. Daily News should be left nt the office of our local representatives, Wilson Bros., Broadway, Stratford. Orders for panels may also be left with them. INQUEST ON PERCY J. SUTTON. DEATH FOLLOWS ACCIDENT. August 4. The inquest concerning the death of Percy John Carter Sutton, who died as a result of an accident which occurred on the evening of July 16, was resumed today before Mr. C. D. Sole, J.P., ActingCoroner, aim a jury of four, consisting of Messrs. S. A. Ward (foreman), L. T. Aylward, C. R. Finnerty and E. G. Foster. Sergeant J. Dale conducted the case for the police Dr. William Patterson Pollock Gordon, medical practitioner, residing at Stratford, gave evidence that owing to deceased’s low condition it was impossible to undertake an operation until the following morning, and when an operation was performed it revealed extensive injuries to the upper and lower jaws, tongue, back of the throat, and neck.

To Sergeant Dale: His impression from examination was that there had been two blows. On the evening of July 28 and morning of July 29 he had two bad heart attacks. His condition was such that further operation was not thought justifiable. He had a sudden collapse at 4 p.m. on July 29, and in spite of all stimulants he died at 5.30. Considerable force would have to be used to inflict the injuries. Death resulted from heart failure, following severe injuries to the mouth and neck. Witness’ impression was that it would have been a smaller object than the point of a gig shaft, which would cause the injury. The shaft may have struck the side of the neck. His general opinion was that the injuries were caused by a sharp instrument of smaller calibre than the shaft. The actual object must have extended into the mouth as far as the tonsil. He would not say that it was impossible for the shaft to inflict the injuries. Deceased was unable to speak clearly at all, and witness did not question him as to the accident. . To Sergeant Dale: He was perfectly satisfied that there was no sign of liquor on deceased, judging by smell and general symptoms.

Albert Barlow, farmer and dealer, residing at tbe Empire Hotel, said he left Stratford for New Plymouth at about 12.50 on July 16, in company with Mr. Penworthy, bis partner in the butchery shop. After the match he went to his brother’s hotel. He had no liquor before he left Stratford, none on the way to New Plymouth, and four or five shandy gaffs in New Plymouth. He was quite able to drive his car. He knew Sutton and the young man Death who were with him. They had asked to be given a “lift” home, as they had missed the train. They left New Plymouth »* sbont 7.31) or 7,45, Witness drove the,

car, Death sitting next to him and Sutton on the left-hand side. There was not a great deal of room for three, but witness did not notice if any portion of Sutton’s head or body was protruding from the car. Before leaving New Plymouth he turned his fights on. Dr. Gordon, recalled, said an object with about the thickness of a man’s thumb would be consistent with the perforation in the throat. An object of about the size of the stancheon would inflict, the injuries, but he did not suggest that the stancheon had inflicted the injuries.

Albert Barlow, recalled, said that on the journey he had occasionally to use his brakes, \vhich acted properly. He could discern objects in front of him for a distance of 20 yards with his lights. He travelled on the centre of the road, except when passing vehicles. The accident occurred on a downhill grade. The car had on no occasion during tbe journey home skidded when the brakes were applied. He was driving at about 20 or 25 miles per hour just prior to the accident, and was in the centre of the road. He saw nothing in front of him before the accident took place. He did not get a glimpse of the gig before the collision. When the car struck the gig hr steered off to the righthand side. The collision took place nearly opposite the surfaceman’s gate. The, vehicle struck the left-hand side mudguard on witness’ car. He was positive that at the time of the collision he was on the crown of the road. He. did not see any lights on the gig. The gig wns lying nearly on the middle of the road, but he thought slightly on the left-hand side going to Inglewood. He found two young men and he asked one what ho was doing on the wrong side of the road and what he was doing without lights. The man said that he had no lights and that he was in the wrong. Both young men were sober, as far as be knew. He thought that the wheel of the gig having struck his mudguard the shaft was long enough to reach deceased. He could not say what portion of the gig or car could have struck deceased.

Frederick Ashburton Death, a passenger in the car, said that when they came over the brow of the hill he could see no lights ahead, and the first thing he saw of the gig was some object looming over the top of them. The car was on the middle of the road, slightly to the left. The left-hand mudguard seemed to hit the left-hand wheel of the gig. Henry Janies Stinson, railway surfaceman residing on Mountain Road, who was on the scene of the accident, said he asked Barlow who it was who was lying down, and Barlow said that it was Officer. He went to tbe back of the car to take the number, but did not see who was in the car. Officer said to Barlow: “Why did you pull over on my side?” and Barlow said, “Well, how could I help it seeing that you were on the wrong side of the road?” Officer said that he had to pull the wrong rein and go to the wrong side of the road to clear Barlow, who was on his i wrong side. James Albert Officer, farm hand, residing at Waingongoro, stated that he left home on the night of July 16 with Nelson Linn at about 8.20 in a gig which witness was driving. They were going to Inglewood. They* lit two candle lamps, which were burning until they reached within 100 yards of the accident, when both lights went out. He did not know what put them out. He was driving on the centre of the asphalt, and saw the of the car. When witness was within forty yards of the scene of the accident the car was coming over the brow of the hill. Witness drew over to his left side, but. both his wheels were on the asphalt. As the car came over.the bill it was in the centre of the asphalt. At the bend in the road the car went over to the right side of the road, and iu passing the gig the accident occurred. Nelson Linn, farm hand, residing at Mangatoki, said that he was in the gig with Officer. The lights of the gig went out just before the accident. He did not remember any conversation after the accident. He had heard the evidence of Officer, and agreed with him. The jury returned the following verdict: “That Percy J. C. Sutton came to his death as the result of injuries received in an accident which occurred on the road from New Plymouth on the night of July 16.” In almost every town now the meat auction sales have ceased, owing, no doubt, to the increase in the prices for fat stock, but Stratford is still holding up its end, i and after a slackening off for the past I fortnight the P.A.G. are resuming the sales iof beef and mutton as brisk ias ever on Saturday next, and hope to be | able to qarry their sales on regularly right through the winter. T. Lamason’s usual weekly sale is advertised in this issue. A good farmer’s or householder’s bundle of stationery is supplied for 5s post free by Wilson Bros., stationers, Stratford. This is the list: Two writing pads, three packets envelopes, packet blotting slips, lead pencil, pen and scribbling or order pad. Send 5s along and get a bundle from Wilson Bros, stationers, Stratford.