The Fatal Accident in Dixon-st.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 3033, 20 October 1888, Page 2

The Fatal Accident in Dixon-st.

Inquest.

All inquest was lield this morning before S. von Stunner Esq, District Coroner, ou tlio body of Ida Ward, the particulars of whose sad death were recorded in our yesterday's issue. The following jurymen wero sworn inR. J, Fitton (forman), S. H. Wickerson, J. P. Cowio, T, Parsons, P. W. Temple, and W. B. Ohemiells. Tho jury having viewed the body the following epidenco was taken, George Arthur Ward, father of deceased doposed, He wont home between 20 minutes and a quarter to 2 o'clock, and saw Mr Maclmy's baker's cart standing in Dixon-street with its head away from the river, Ho saw his side gates open and fastened them, and went in tho front door. When he got to tho back door shortly after, ho heard anoiso, and saw the horso with tho cart rash through tho right-of-way. His little girl was standing in tho yard, and lie saw . the horse and cart knock the ohild down before he coidd reach her. Ho ran and picked tho child up and carried it inside. The thought struck him from the way the child's head was hanging tliat its neck was broken. Mr Brunton came running in and asked what he could do, and he sent him for tho doctor,' Dr Hosking pronounced the child to bo dead and that its neclt was broken. Witness spoke to tho driver of the cart afterwards, and asked liiin if the horse had not run away before, and ho replied that it hadolice before, at tho Railway Station, and on that occasion it had beon frightened. In answer to tho Coroner witness Baid the side entrance was not a right of way. The driver wag delivering bread to his customers, but docs not iorve witness. - Dr W. H. Hosking deposed ho was :alled to the case by Mr Brunton md attended at once. The child was lead when he got there. The child's oworjaw was completely smashed, md he thought tho wheel must have ;oue over the child,s head. He bought the child's neck was broken, t was difficult to say, No doubt the )low caußed instantaneous death. 3o afterwards informed the police. John Neil Brunton, tailor, residng in Queen street, deposed lie was ut the upper story of his dwelling 'esterday afternoon about a quarter ir twenty minutes to two. He heard i noise like the breaking of timber, lis window overlooked Mr Ward's r ard in Dixon Street. On looking nit ho saw a horse and bakers cart ushinguptho sido entrance of Mr (Yard's house into the yard. It was [allpping as fust as it could go. Ho aw the drees of the ohild coming rpn} the fence as if to make for the «ck door. He did not actually see be child knocked down and run ver, but saw Mr Ward rush and ick it up with its liead all covered, rtth bloodi He ran down stairs, wuped over the two fences and lade his way to. Mr Ward's house, Io went for Dr Hosking, who caine lmost immediately, and tlioy too'

back to lII* Ward's house within five minutes, lie did not seo the horse start. He heard the breaking of tho gate and saw the timber flying.After tho accident tho horse turned: in the yard and mado its way, back out of the side entrance. He heard tho driver tell Mr Ward that the: horse had bolted once before at tho Railway Station, said it was probably frightened by the Railway engino or train. v In answer to the Coroner Mi" Ward said the child was tliree years old ou the 20th September last. Lydia Tullook servant in the house of Captain Condon, of the Salvation Army, Dixon-stroet, doposed:, Bemember the baker calling yesterday, about 20 minutes to 2 o'olock. Wa& crossing the yard coming tothe house. Did not see tho cart stop, tho bakor was coming in with the bread when she first noticed him. be came to the back of the house. 1 The horse and cart wero standing on the road in front of the house., The horse was grazing on the roadside with bis head down. Saw the animal lift its head suddenly and turn round and run into the low fence immediately opposite. Witness said to baker" Your horse has gone into the fence,." He laid his basket down immediately and ran to it. Witness crossed the road to Mr Ward's houso and the horse was coming out of the gateway at Mr Ward's. The wheel appeared to catch in the gate coming out whioh allowed the driver to catch it. Had known the driver about four weeks and frequently saw him delivering bread. He left his horse standing on previous occasions when delivering bread. Never saw it attempt to. leave at any previous timo. There was no noise about to Btartle, the horse. /

To the Coroner. There is not a groat deal of traffio in the street and it waa a qaiot time of the day. - Johaiisen Johnsen Falki driver of the cart was called, and the Coroner cautioned him that ho need not give evidence that would criminate him-' .self. Witness said ho did not see anything of the accident.

Constablo Salmon deposed he visited the house of Mr Ward and saw tho deceased child. H o saw the spot where the accident occurred, which was about forty paces from the road, Dixon street. The whole of tlio injuries wore on the left Bide of the head,. Tho fence was about 4ft Din high. The palings, were not substantial, but tho frame appeared strong. If tho collar had slipped over tho horse's had whilst it was grazing and it lifted its head sharply, it would no doubt startle it and cause the horse to bolt. He had seen an accident in Newmarket arise from a similar cause, He bad seon tho horse in busier thoroughfares, and it seemed quiet,

lo tbe foreman; Did not know if tbe driver was in tho habit of looking the wheel with a chain. The. locking of the wheel would not have stopped tho horse in such a short distance. In answer to the Coroner, Mr frd said there was a chain on the cart, but tbe wheel was not locked.' Tho Coroner read the Borough by-law in reference to leaving carts unattended, and pointed, out there was no clauso compelling persons in charge of vehicles locking their carts when leaving tlieui. Constable Salmon said it was not a general practico with butchers and bakers to look their carts when delivering goods. The person in cliargo of tho cart was Johannes Johnson Falk.

Mr J, (}, Macltay expressed bis deep regret at the sad accident and stated his willingness to do all that lay in his power to soften their loss, Tins closed the evidonce. The jury, returned a verdict of accidental death, and added a ridor that tlio Borough Council bo requested to make a by-law compelling porsous in obargo of vehicles to lock tho wheels of the same when leaving thorn unattended in tho streets for the purpose of delivering goods.