THE MOTOR FATALITY ON THE QUAY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1177, 12 July 1911, Page 7

THE MOTOR FATALITY ON THE QUAY.

INQUEST OPENED. DRIVING, BRAKES, AND LIGHTS, DID THE CAB SKID? An inquest was opened at the Hospital yesterday afternoon, before Mr \V G Kiddell, S.M., touching U,o death of iredonck Hunt, who was knocked down by Dr. Ewart's motor-car in Lambtoji Quay on Monday eveniug, and who died as (he result of injuries received. Mr. h. K. Kirkcaldio was present to reprosent the family of deceased, Mr. 0. Beera on behalf of tho driver of tho car'(A; K. Uarnard), Mr. T. Young on behalf of •Ur. liwart, owner of tho motor-car, and Mr. M. Chapman on behalf of an insurauto company. Sergeant Mathioson, of \\olliugtou youth, represented tho police. Dr. Hardwicke-Smith, medical superintendent of tho Wellington Hospital, stated that deceased was received into the Hospital at (i.15 p.m. on Monday, and was then completely unconscious, fle had sustained a scalp wound, about (hrco inches in length, behind tho car, und was bleeding from the left car. An operation was at onco performed, and disclosed a fracture of the skull, including both vault and base. The patient remained unconscious, and died at fl.lo p.m. The cause of death was fracture of the skull and haemorrhage. Mr. Young: Did you examine the body, doctor?-"No, I didn't." Mr. Young: The injuries to tho head were sufficient to cause death ?—"Yes." Mr. Kirkcaldie: Could you say whether tho injuries were caused by a blow, or by something passing over the body?— "No, except that there must have been considerable force cither by' falling or striking." Dora Hunt, daughter of deccaFed, gave evidcuco as to identification of the body. She stated that her father was about tiO years of age, and had been employed at the Hotel Arcadia. He was a gardener by occupation. Arthur llichnrd Barnard, motor-driver, employed by Dr. liwart, who was driving tho car at the time of the accident, stated that ho was driving on the correct side, and was going (at the most) at eight miles an hour. Between Woodward Street and the Arcadia Hotel, tho street (Lsunbton Quay) was dark, and he.did not notice deceased until Ihn car was within a yard of him. Ho applied both brakes, and tho car skidded on tho greasy road. Mr. Hunt was knocked down on his back, but the car did not go over him. Mr. Young: Was it raining at the time? —"Yes, and I had the screen up in front." , Jlr. Young: And how do you account for not seeing the man?—" Well, with the screen up, and rain on the screen, if you go from tho brilliant lights into place, it makes it difficult <o see. . In answer to further questions by Jlr. Young, witness said' that, deceased must have been struck in front. Mr. Kirkcaldie: How long havo yon been driving a cav?-"Sinco last August. Witness added that he had had previous experience for twelve months in a "arago in London. Tho car was carrying ho regulation lamps, which were in proper order. The brakes -ware in good order, and responded immediately when applied, but the car skidded on and went iibont: a yard after actual contact. It would be'possible to pull up the car on. a greasy read in about two yards, and in about a foot on a good road. Witness considered that eight miles an hour was a safe speed in tho circumstances. It was unsafe to carry headlights in a town, as (hoy were of a dazzling nature. It was the practice to use them on Wellington cars when going out of town. In. town, tho regulation lamps wcro good onough. In answer lo Mr. Ikerc, witness could give no reason for deceased failing to see the car. Headlights threw a beam of , light forward, but would not enable a driver to see anyone at tho side of tho car. Dr. Ewart, who was travelling ■ hi/hia car at tho time of tho accident, felt the brakes go on opposite tho Hotel Arcadia, and saw deceased as he fell. 'Witness had Mr. Hunt, carried into tho National , Hotel, and finding that ho was suffering from a fractured skull, ordered tho ambulance aud took deceased lo the hospital. In answer to Mr. Kirkcaldie, witness replied that ho did not know whether any complete examination of the body had been made since death. Ho had made a 2)artial examination" at tho National otel. Mr. Kirkcaldio hero submitted that an ; examination of tho body should be made, and tho coroner intimated that ho was prepared to make an order ill that direction. Answering to a further question from Mr. Kirkcaldie, Dr. Ewart stated that ho never carried headlights. His automobile was a "silent car." To Mr. Beero; Tho driver was both, a careful and sober man.' Georgo A. Smyth, clerk in the Public Trust, who witnessed the accident, gave evidence on the lines indicated in the report of tho accident (published yesterday). Ho added that ho did not sec deceased until tho car was almost upon him. Ho could not therefore tell whether deceased hesitated. . .

Mr. Kirkcaldic, when cross-examining this witness, askwl tho Coroner to not'o tlio following answer:-" Assuming that deceased was coming from (ha Arcadia side, he would be behind me." Tho Coroner remarked that ho could not see that the course suggested was necessary. Mr. Kirkcaldie replied that the witness had given that answer, nud ho (counsel) would liko it taken down. The Coroner: This is an inquiry into the cause of death and I am not going to assume anything. 1 do not see that this is necessary. Sir. Kirkcnldie did not press the point further. Kobort Edward Hornblow deposed as to Mr. Hunt's condition previous to the accident. At 5.21) Mr. Hunt was in good spirits and quite well, His sight and hearing were good. George l'innock, of the Hotel Arcadia, gave evidence to the effect that doccased was not too smart on his feet on account of having been badly burned some time ago. Ho had also complained lately of being unable, to hear in one car. Dr. Hardwicke-Smilh (recalled) stated that he had just examined the .body. There were slight bruises on tho ' left ankle, knee, ami shin, and a slight bruise on tho right elbow. No bones wore broken. At this stage the Coroner adjourned tho inquest to the Magistrate's Court at 2.15 p.m. to-morrow. Hα also remarked that he was satisfied as to the cause of dentil, but the police miglil, in tho meantime, bo able to discover some other persons, who had witnessed the accident.