AFTER A MOTOR ACCIDENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 217, 12 September 1911, Page 2

AFTER A MOTOR ACCIDENT.

AST OLB MAITS XK3A2H. THE INQUEST. An inquest was held at the Oxford Hotel this afternoon, before Mr. Thos. Gresham, Coroner, and a jury of six, touching the death of James Davenport, who died at his home in Grahant-street, yesterday morning, from injuries alleged to have been caused as the result of a motor car accident. Mr. Staunton watched proceedings on behalf of the driver of the motor car, Victor M. Spinks. Constable Murphy stated that Davenport was a mariner and an old resident of Freeman's Bay. He was 71 years of age and married. Latterly he had been working in the gum stores. He was an old age pensioner and a man of steady habits, and was not at all defective in

his sight or hearing for an old man. Witness last saw him at his house on Friday evening when he got a statement respecting the accident. Davenport was then out of bed and appeared to be improving. He had been' attended at different times by Drs. Darby, Murray and Murphy. . Patrick Doran (of Grey Lynn) said that on Sunday, 3rd inst., he was talking with Jas. D'jvonport, about ten or twelve minxes to one at the corner of Victoria-street and Ho'bson-street, just outside the City Hotel. Witness had ono foot on the pavement and one in the gutter of the footpath, while D<vonport was on the road close beside him, ust off the footpath. Dfvonport had! both feet in the gutter. There were not many about. They had crossed the road to that position, and the tram had just passed' them, going to the city. Then a motor-car came round the corner, going in the same direction. It was almost on top of them before witness saw it. It was going pretty , fast, and running close to the kerb. He heard no signal from the horn, but ' received a warning by a voice calling "Get put of 'the road, if you don't wantto get 'z well killed!" Then witness saw the car for the' first time, and the words were spoken by somebody in the car. The man that sang out stood up, but he didn't see the motonnan. The car was so close that witness could not say whether Davenport was struck by the car or whether the man who called out put bis hand out, and shoved him. The result was that Davenport fell down. Witness went to pick Davenport up, and called out to some people who had left the tram to \get the number of the car. The man in the car, who had cabled out, looked round, but the *car went on without stopping. Witness thought he must have seen the man on the ground. A young fellow came and assisted to get Davenport on his feet. He seemed dizzy, but was able to walk home. (Proceeding.)