SANDON MOTOR SMASH

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 239, 3 July 1920, Page 6

SANDON MOTOR SMASH

9 MANSLAUGHTER CHAM . NEWTH COMMITTED FOR TRIAI

By Telegraph-Special Correspondent. Palmerston North, July 2. As the result of the inquest on the bodies of Arthur Ernest Eglington, Alfred Edward Penny, and Frank Kidman, who died from injuries received in a motor collision at Snndon on May 20, Warren Newth, driver of the taxi-car which is alleged to have caused the accident, was brought before Messrs. A. J. Graham and W. F. Durwnrd, J.l'.'s, at the Palmerston North Court this morning, on a charge of manslaughter. Detective-Sergeant Quirke conducted the case for the police, and Mr. Gifford Moore represented the accused. Formal evidence given at the inquest haying been put in, H. J. Wyldes, licensed surveyor, produced a plan of the scene of the accident, which showed that the bend in the road did not forlu an acute angle. The distance of visibility from the scene of the accident looking towards Palmerston North was 22] chains, and there was a fclelir. -view in both sides otvthe 'road. Mrs. A'Court who had been sittingalongside Mr. Eglington in his car, in re-examination by the police, stated that the lights on the Car' were burning I brightly up to the time of the accident. The lights were put oulf by the collision, nnd later, while she was holding Mr, Eglington up, a man asked' her to put : the lights on, nnd she replied that_she would not interfere with the car. Later on the same man returned with another man, who interfered with the switches of the car. x . Evidence was given by Detective-Ser-geant-Quirke to the effect that several tests had been made in the locality of the disaster, with tho result that- it was proved beyond doubt that it was possible to see an unlighted.or a lighted car round the. very gradual bend when approaching from the v opposite . direction a good ditanco away.. An linlighted, stationary car had become visible when approached at various speeds from distances ranging from seventy to over ninety yards. Expert evidence was called to the effect that in order to cause such extensive damage as was sustained by EgiingtonV ear Newth must hnVe been travelling at a speed of between ii and 50 miles an hour. Newth pleaded not guilty, and reserved his defence. He was committed for trial at the next sessions of the Supreme' . Court at Palmerston North, and was granted the same bail as previously.