HUTT ROAD FATALITY

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 191, 8 May 1924, Page 8

HUTT ROAD FATALITY

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE PRELIMINARY HEARING COMMENCED In order to obtain the evidence of a naval witness who is leaving with the warships to-day, the preliminary hearing of the charge of manslaughter against Frank McDevitt, arising out of tl:« recent fatality on tho Hutt Road was commenced before Mr. E. Page,' S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. , Chief-Detective Kemp prosecuted, and-Mr. A. B. Sievwright appeared for accused. , Leonard Richardson, a first-class stoker on H.M.S. Hood, said that he went to the races at Trentham on Saturday, April 26, as one of a party from the ship- At the conclusion o the meeting he was invited by accused to accompany him home in his car. Witness occupied the front seat next to a lady and before they departed two men got in at the back. Chief-Detective Kemp: How was the driver proceeding? Witness: I had had a few drinks. He was going as any other car. I went to sleep just after we left. When did you wake up?— Just after the accident.” What do you mean by that? — I seemed to feel a bump and that woke me up.” , Could you say how far the car travelled after the accident ?—“Somewhere about 20 yards.” What did you do then ?—“Everybody got out of the car.” Did McDevitt?—“Yes.” Did you all go back?—“Yes We found about 20 people gathered round Mr. Cross.” Was he conscious? —“He seemed to be. but I would not vouch for that.’ How long did you stop there? — “About five or ten minutes.” How did you come to go away?— “There was some remark passed about everything being all right, and that he was only slightly injured.” Do vou know who passed those remarks?—“No. We all went back together. The car was started up and we drove to Wellington.” Who drove you?—“McDevitt. After you reached Wellington did you have any conversation with McDevitt? —“He passed a remark about it being an accident and couldn’t be avoided.” Did the driver of the car ask you for your address? —“He had my address, but I don’t remember whether I gave it to him.” Was any arrangement made between you when you left?—“He led me to believe that he would be on board on Sunday. One reason was to have a walk around the ship and also to explain about the accident.” Can you say whether he called on Sunday?— “He did not see me.” Questioned by Mr. Sievwright. witness said that the night was black and dirty and that it was raining heavily. McDevitt was perfectly sober and was travelling at a fair speed. Witness had not exactly slept—he had dozed. The hearing at this stage was adjourned until Wednesday next. Sitting as Coroner in, the afternoon, Mr. Page opened the inquest on the late Mr. Cross. The evidence of the stoker Richardson was re-sworn, and the inquest adjourned until after the hearing of the indictable charge.