ACCIDENT AT TAITA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 September 1940, Page 7

ACCIDENT AT TAITA

DRUNKENNESS ALLEGED CHARGE AGAINST MOTOR DRIVER. TAUERU RESIDENT SENT TO TRIAL. iEy Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. Pleading not guilty to a charge that on May 12. being intoxicated in charge of a motor-truck at Taita, and omittink to keep a proper, look-out. he caused injury to Yeonard King, Robert Andrew Stowe, a hotel licensee, of Taueru (Masterton), appeared before Mr A. M. Goulding. S.M.. at the Lower Hutt Court, and after the hearing of evidence was committed to the Supreme Court for trial.

John Bentley, a farmer, said in evidence that at about 11.15 a.m. on May 12 he was talking to King opposite witness’s gate, on the western side of the main road. King had his bicycle and was facing north. The cycle was between him and the bitumen, and they were standing on the macadam about four feet from the edge of the bitumen. Witness saw several cars pass, but did not see the vehicle which struck King until it did so. Witness glanced round to follow some of the cars going into the golf links, and as he turned back he saw a blue vehicle striking King. It also struck witness, on the left leg above the knee. He saw King double back on the fender of the truck, his head apparently striking the lamp. When witness recovered himself, he saw the truck passing the golf links gates, and King's body lying near the gateway, having been carried about fourteen yards. The truck pulled up 45 yards north of where they were hit.

Constable A. W .Nalder slated that on May 12 he went to the scene of the accident and saw King lying unconscious near the Riverside golf links. Witness interviewed Stowe, who was seated in a motor-truck. When asked to get out of the truck, the accused appeared to be dazed and slightly unsteady on his feet. The distance from where King was lying to where Mr Bentley indicated the accident occurred was 41ft. Conditions were good, and the day was fine. Dr. H. G. Rix, of Lower Hutt, said that he examined the accused at the Lower Hutt police station on May 12. He considered that the man showed the effects of having consumed alcohol, but that the effects were wearing off. It sometimes happened that the effects of alcohol were not manifest until some time after the liquor was consumed. He had testified that the accused was unfit to drive a car.

Traffic Inspector J. P. Warren said that he vzas on patrol duty at Petone when informed by a Free Ambulance driver of the accident. He arrived on the scene at 11.55 a.m., and later imposed tests on the accused. The accused said be had had two beers at 6.30 a.m. that day. James Alexander Shaw, a vehicle inspector of the Transport Department, said that he examined the truck on May 13. The brakes were found to be in very good order. Bail was allowed the defendant in the sum of £5O, with one surety of that amount.