NEGLIGENT MOTORIST CONVICTED

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 256, 28 July 1927, Page 8

NEGLIGENT MOTORIST CONVICTED

SEQUEL TO FATAL ACCIDENT Dominion Special Service. Auckland, July '27. “The catalogue cd deaths and maiming caused by tuolyi-/Irs is largely attributable to negligence on lliu part of the niotorist, else the number ot accidents could not attain such proportions,” said Mr. Justice Stringer today at tiie trial in the Supreme Court of Victor F.eiuinand liisenhut, who was found guilty ol negligently driving a motor-car and causing the death of Mrs. Elizabeth Spender, of Kaitaia. The evidence (heat'd on Tuesday) was f to the effect that accused drove a motorcar at 50 to 60 miles an hour on Ahipara beach, uhere a motor race meeting was being held, .on February 17, and struck a car competing in an event, Mrs. Spender, one of the occupants of the racing vehicle, being killed. "Guilty, with a strong recommendation to leniency,” was the verdict returned after just over two hours’ deliberation Mr. Finlay (for accused) referred to accused’s good record and character, pointing to the .fact that he had lost his best ear and much business, and said that deceased’s husband was claiming £lOOO compensation, the driver of the Port £.300, and another claimant £lO or. £5O. "It is a peculiar case. They all. went into an arena dedicated to Speed. It is m>t analagous to a highwav at ' lent,” he said The Judge, after commenting on the negligence on the pqrt of motorists, said that in some, places it was unsafe to walk- the streets. Vet tie was always rcadv to hearken to a jury’s recommendation, and realised bow accused had suffered material loss. Sentence was postponed.