MOTOR FATALITIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 May 1938, Page 2

MOTOR FATALITIES

NEGLIGENT DRIVING CHARGES CONTRACTOR FOUND GUILTY (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 17. Kaspar Gray Webley, city building contractor, aged 38, was found guilty in the Supreme Court of having driven a motor-car negligently along Marshland Road on February 24, thereby causing the death of Joseph Quinn. Webley was remanded for sentence. Mr Justice Northcroft, in summing up, said evidence of the accused's consumption of liquor on the day of the accident had been brought by the prosecution, a hotel barman having refused him more drink because he considered he had had enough. It was for the jury to determine whether Webley was in a fit state to drive and it was also for the jury jto say whether 60 miles an hour along Marshland Road was a reasonable speed. OFFENCES ADMITTED INTOXICATION CHARGE (By Telegraph—Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, May 17. In the Supreme Court today, before Mr Justice Kennedy, a charge of negligently driving a motor-car at Waihoaka on April 10, thereby causing the death of John Wilfred Hayes, and a further charge of being intoxicated while in charge of a motor-car and by act or omission causing death were preferred against Clarence Herbert Hibbs, who pleaded not guilty. Evidence was heard up to the luncheon adjournment, but when the court resumed this afternoon, Mr G. J. Reed, counsel for accused, asked leave to withdraw the original pleas and said Hibbs would plead guilty to the charges against him. Hibbs entered the witness box and admitted the offences, and without leaving their seats the jury returned a verdict of guilty on each charge. Hibbs was remanded for sentence. The following presentment was made by the grand jury:—“This grand jury views with concern a case with which liquor was apparently procured by accused and his companion on a Sunday.”