TRAM COLLIDES WITH BUS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 10673, 18 February 1926, Page 4

TRAM COLLIDES WITH BUS.

SEQUEL TO COLLISION.

MOTMIHAS FINED TWO POUNDS

! (Pei - Press Association.) AUCKLAND, February 17. “ So you are carrying the war into the enemy’s' camp,” said Mr Hunt, S.M., at the Police Court this morning. . “ Yes, that is so, sir,” replied Mr Thurlow Field, who appeared for John

Lewis Gunning, a motor ’bus proprietor. Gunning proceeded against Joseph Crawford Stewart, motorman in the employ of the City Tramways, charging him with furiously driving a tramcar in Eden Terrace on the morning of February 6. Stewart pleaded not guilty. Gunning further charged Stewart with being the driver of a tramcar, a

vehicle that was not licensed under the city by-laws. Mr Eield stated that Gunning was , driving his motor ’bus up Eden Terrace about 7.4-5 a.in. on February 6. As lie approached Virginia Avenue several horse-drawn vehicles game out. Meanwhile Gunning’s ’bus worked out toward the tram rails in order to pass one. of the horse-drawn waggons. A tramcar, not defendant’s, passed him shortly before, going in the same direction. Defendant’s tram was some lengths behind when Gunning put out his hand indicating that he was going over toward the tram rails to pass a waggon. The tram driven by Stewart then speeded up and crowded Gunning’s ’bus on to the waggon, bending one of the mudguards of the ’bus and

scraping the top of the vehicle. Gun-, ning signalled to the car to stop. Stewart, in evidence, said he was proceeding up Eden Terrace at the usual speed'. Gunning was not abreast of the-iorry all the time. He was behind it when the tram was close up and actually half-way past the ’bus. Gunning then put out his hand. Witness averred that he never struck Gunning’s ’bus, and felt no bump. Mr Hunt: It behoves drivers of vehicles in the rear to be circumspect in overhauling other vehicles ahead of them. The weight of evidence is in favour of Gunning in this case. I think his story is most probable. Stewart, the tramcar motorman, will be convicted and fined £2, and costs £2 13s will be allowed. The other charge was withdrawn, with £1 Is costs to the City Council.