TWO DEATHS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 June 1939, Page 5

TWO DEATHS

MOTOR CYCLE CRASHES INTO POLE AT BELVEDERE DRIVER KILLED OUTRIGHT. PILLION RIDER FATALLY INJURED (“Times-Age” Special.) A motor cyclist was killed outright and his pillion rider 'was fatally injured as the result of the machine they were riding crashing into a concrete telephone pole in Belvedere Road, Carterton, at about 10 p.m. on Saturday. The victims were: — Killed: Eric William Renner, aged 21, mechanic, son of Mr and Mrs J. Renner, 110 Renall Street, Masterton. Died from injuries: William Potten, aged 18, mechanic, only son of Mr and Mrs T. Potten, Wood Street, Greytown. Mr Renner was the driver of the cycle and Mr Potten was riding pillion. Between 9.30 and 10 o’clock, they left Car tert on for Mr Renner’s home near the Belvedere School. After passing the Belvedere Cheese Factory the cycle veered to the left-hand side of the road and got into the combings of the road which had been left on the roadside by the county grader. It is presumed that the driver endeavoured to get back on to the roadway again and in doing so was unable to avoid a telephone pole near the fence of Mr Buick’s property. Mr Renner was killed instantaneously, his neck and one of his legs being broken. Mr Potten was thrown heavily to the ground and received severe/ injuries. Dr W. J. C. Wells ordered his removal to the Masterton Hospital, where he was taken with all haste. He died from his injuries yesterday morning. The impact with the concrete pole caused it to be cracked and the base of the pole was shifted some two or three inches The cycle suffered badly, the left side front fork being broken from the wheel, the mudguard crumpled up, the lamp smashed and the front portion generally damaged. The accident was discovered by Mr W. J. Kennedy, who was returning to his home at Belvedere and he immediately reported it to the police. Yesterday morning an inquest was held in the Courthouse, Carterton, over which Mr E. G. Eton presided. Mr Jack Renner, father of deceased, testified that he identified the body as that of his son, aged 21 years, a motor mechanic employed by -Mr C. K. Goodin, of Carterton, and that he lived in bachelor quarters at Belvedere, about two miles from his place of his employment. He last saw his son alive on Tuesday, when he was in good health and had visited his parents’ home at Renall Street, Masterton. Mr Renner said he was informed of the accident by Constable Downes, of Masterton, who called at the house and told him of his son's death.

The coroner adjourned the inquest sine die. Mr Eton commented on the unsatisfactory state of the morgue at Carterton.. He said his complaint would be submitted to the Borough Council. An inquest concerning the death of Mr Potten was also opened and adjourned yesterday, before Mr Eton, Coroner. Thomas Potten. father, gave evidence to the effect that his son came home for lunch on Saturday and that was the last time he saw him alive. Witness said he believed his son was going to the football match but he had evidently gone to the motor cycle sports instead. LATE MR RENNER. The late Mr Eric William Renner was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs J. Renner, of Renall Street. He was in his 21st year and was born in Masterton. He was educated at the Wairarapa College, where he was a keen student and was actively associated with various branches of sport. For some considerable time he had been connected with the motor-cycle business of Mr Kemp Goodin at Carterton, being an exceptionally capable mechanic. He was a well-known motor-cycle rider and had many successes on the track. He was very popular with a wide circle of friends for his many fine personal qualities, and his untimely death will be deeply regretted. The late Mr Eric Renner had only recently taken up his residence in the Carterton district. Besides his mother and father he leaves three sisters—Mrs V. Greer and Misses Lorna and Betty Renner, and one brother, to all of whom will be extended deep sympathy in their bereavement. The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon, leaving Hyde’s Chapel, in Church Street, at 1 o/clock for the Masterton Cemetery.