CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7830, 24 June 1909, Page 3

CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER.

TRAMWAY EMPLOYEES COMMITTED FOR TRIAL,

AUCKLAND, June 23. At the Onehunga Magistrate's Court to-day two young men, Charles Henry Halley, a motorman m the employ or the Auckland Tramway Company, and Herbert Berkitt, a conductor, were charged with having on June 10th committed the crime of manslaughter by causing the death of Anna Horsnell, a visitor from Christchurch. Sergeant Rogers, m opening the ease, explained that about 5 o'clock on the afternoon of Juno 10th the deceased boarded a, tramcar with the idea of travelling down |.o Captain street, Onehuuga. Ther.e were two other ladies desirous of alighting at the same place, and the bell was rung for the purpose of stopping the car at that corner. The car slowed down as it approached Captain street, and the three ladies went out on to the back platform for the purpose of alighting. Deceased was on tl^ step ready to get off, but, instead of stopping, the car gave a. sm]den jolt and went on again. The deceased l»dy was thrown on her back, and received a fractured skull, which caused her death two or three hours later. The conductor, Birkett, was on the front platform of the car with the motorman at the time of the accident. The evidence would prove that the bell was rung for the car to stop at Captain street, but no bell was given to go on again, the conductor simply saying "Right oh" to the : motorman.' A verbal order was not sufficient, the "reflations of the com- > pa-ny stating that'a ijeil signal must • always be given to start the ear, Evidence having been given, the ae-, ' cused, who pleaded not guilty, were - committed for trial, bail being allowed . m two sureties of £100 each.