ANZAC AVENUE SMASH.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 112, 13 May 1926, Page 8

ANZAC AVENUE SMASH.

DEATH OF MR. FRANK WILSON

INQUEST ANI> COURT CASE OPENED. DICKINSON SENT FOR TRIAL. Travelling down Anzac Avenue in drizzling rain on the evening of March 2.3, at a speed estimated at 35 miles per hour, a motor car driven by Alfred James Dickinson crashed into a tram car. The accident resulted in the death of Mr. Frank Wilson. Yesterday afternoon Dickinson appeared at the Police Court to answer a charge of negligently driving a motor car, thereby causing the death of Mr. Frank Wilson. The coronial inquiry into the circumstances touching th? death of Wilson was heard by Mr. W. R. McKean at the same time. Sub-Inspector Lewin prosecuted, Mr. W. J. Gatenby appeared for Dickinson, and Mr. L. 'R. Gilfillan (Hamilton) represented the relatives of the dead man. Mr. L. R. Gilfillan (Hamilton) represented the relatives of the dead man. and Mr. R. H. McKay appeared for the Tramway Department. The Smash Described. Oscar Hugh Jones. one of the occupants of the car at the time of the accident, said they left the Auckland Bowling Green about 5.30 p.m. There were four others in the car. Mr. Dickinson was driving, and witness was in the front seat with him. Down Anzac Avenue the car was travelling about 23 miles per hour. When the car turned into Customs Street, they were still travelling about 25 miles per hour. Just as the tram loomed up at the bottom of the road, the driver applied his brakes. No person interfered with the driver in any way. Just before the tram loomed up. the car skidded and got out of control. The driver was quite sober.

To Mr. Gateby witness said that applying the brakes caused the ear to skid. It was raining at the time.

The motorman on the tram. Albert; William Payne, stated that when near Anzac Avenue, he saw tile motor car coming down the hill. He was given the impression that the car was going across the railway lines. The motor came on to the tram rails and then swerved off. Witness immediately applied his brakes, and the tram was just about at a standstill when the impact took place. The tram was travelling about 12 miles per hour, and the motor between 30 and 35. Cross-examined, witness said the ear skidded on the tram rails. "The car crossed right over on to the wrong side of the road,"' said Charles Thomas Stewart, the conductor on the tram. He estimated the speed of the car at 35 miles per hour, but judging by the impact, he thought the speed was about 50 miles per hour. The impact was heavy, and knocked all the front compartment down. Norman Russell Within Thomas, who was on a bus, and who had a clear view of Anzac Avenue, said he saw the motor skidding very badly towards the centre of the road. A few seconds later he heard a terrific impact. Dickinson, in giving evidence to-day, said that he had been driving a car for four yeir;. Leaving the bowling green at 5.3 C, he drove slowly up Grafton Road. Passing the Supreme Court, he had no idea the car was getting out of control. Going down Anzac Avenue he was doing between "20 and 22 miles an hour. He remembered passing New Campbell Motors. After that hi< memory was blank. He did not know of the accident until he was told by his medical adviser after he came out of the hospital three weeks or a month later. It was not his own car that he was driving, and he noticed that the brakes were not in good order. The accelerator stuck a little, and the steering gear was much harder to control than that of his own car.

Dr. F. E.. Webster said that deceased. Wilson, was admitted to the hospital with a fractured skull. He- died ten minutes after admission. "Must Find Negligence." Mr. Mc-Kean, S.M.. said that deceased died from njuries sustained in a collision between a tram and a motor car driven by Dickinson. "On the evidence. I must find negligence." the coroner said. On being charged accused pleaded not guilty, reserved his defence, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was allowed on his own surety of £100.