OPEN VERDICT BROUGHT

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20911, 16 September 1939, Page 6

OPEN VERDICT BROUGHT

WELLINGTON MOTOR OOLLISION PRAISE FOR DRIVER’S COOLNESS (Special to Times) WELLINGTON, Friday “I do not propose to make any comment here. I take it that the matter will be taken forward to another place,” said the coroner, Mr E. Gilbertson, after the hearing of evidence at the inquest into the de&Ui of the late Mr J. C. Peacock, a wellknown solicitor and a former Dominion tennis champion. The coroner then gave an open verdict, that deceased died at Knight’s Road Hospital, Lower Hutt, on the night of September 9 from head injuries received in a collision on the Western Hutt Road. When the inquest was resumed after the coroner had inspected the scene of the accident, Mr Gilbertson called Sergeant J. W. McHolm, who produced a copy of the Traffic Regulations, and read sections laying down that a permit must be obtained before the regulations could be infringed in any way. In reply to & question by Mr R. E. Tripe, who appeared for the relatives of the deceased, witness said that as far as he knew a permit had not been obtained. Mr Tripe stated that as Dr. Foden, edunsel for the Public Works Department, was not present at the afternoon hearing, and as a permit had not been produced by Dr. Foden, lie could only conclude that no permit had been applied for or issued. Sergeant McHolm expressed the opinion that a tribute should be paid to Miss Margot Peacock for her prompt and cool-headed action in bringing the car to a standstill. The coroner said that but for Miss Peacock the accident might easily have resulted in a much greater loss of life.