CYCLIST’S DEATH

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19887, 16 May 1936, Page 9

CYCLIST’S DEATH

MOTORIST FACES CHARGE. KNOCKED OFF MACHINE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WANGANUI, Friday. Charged with the reckless driving of a motor car on the Putikt Flats on May 9, thereby causing the death of Joseph Arthur Massey, Barney Ruakopa appeared in Court to-day before Mr J. H. Salmon, S.M. Dr. Anderson said death was due to a fracture at the base of the skull. A witness named Byron said he was cycling along the Flats with deceased, who was nearest the centre of the road. A car overtook and passed them and another following car tried to pass in between the first car and the cyclists, striking the rear of deceased’s machine. John Malcolm May gave corroborative evidence. Leonard Sheppard said he overtook three cyclists in a car and passed them making way for a following car. He heard a crash. Accused was driving the car Involved In the accident, but it did not stop. There were three Maoris in It. One was drinking out of a bottle. Witness caught up on the accused’s car and informed him he had killed a boy. Arthur Coe corroborated the evidence of the previous witness. Allegations Against M.P. John Griffin said he witnessed the accident. He considered accused’s car was travelling at a fast rate. Francis Higgins said he saw a bottle taken from accused’s car and a further bottle hurled from It. Detective Pa-ckman said the accused admitted having three gins and a handle of beer before he drove the car back from the city. In a statement accused said he came into the city accompanied by Mr H. I. Ratana, M.P., and his wife and other Maoris. During the morning Mr Ratana xvas drinking and he had difficulty in getting him from the hotel on his way back from Wanganui. Accused said his car struck the cyclist and he was going to stop but Mr Ratana, M.P., who was a passenger, said: “Go for your life.” He drove on but later went back to the scene of the accident. He denied liquor was in the car and the car had no effective brakes. Accused was committed for trial.