TOLL OF THE MOTOR

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 82, 31 December 1928, Page 10

TOLL OF THE MOTOR

FATALITY NEAR GISBORNE TWO MAORIS KILLED THREE OTHERS INJURED By Telegraph.—Press Association. Gisborne, December 30. A serious motor-car accident occurred on Saturday morning, on the Tawera Hill, on the main GisborneWairoa Road, as a result of which two Maoris, Tuta Tahawhera, aged 50 years, married, and Wiki Maniapopo, aged 52 years, were killed, and three were injured. The injured were Ngairo Anihata, who received head injuries; Te Rangi Tamate, who sustained leg and Internal injuries; and Te Whata Witheria, who also received head injuries. The party comprised seven Maori men. All came from Whakatane in a one-ton lorry, and were on their way to a meeting Of the Ringahe Church at Nuhaka,'near Wairoa. The party spent last night at Te Karaka, and set out early this morning on the second portion of their journey. On going down Tawera Hill, 37 miles south of Gisborne, the brakes gave way. The driver, Aniata Ratene, told the passengers to jump, but only one did so. He was Wiki Maniapopo, who landed on his head on the bitumen, and was killed.

The lorry continued its course, and on reaching the hairpin bend overturned twice, landing again on its wheels near the. bank, but facing the opposite way. Tuta Tahawhera was killed by the weight of the lorry. The police and a doctor were sent from Gisborne, and the’injured were removed to the Cook Hospital, where their injuries are reported not to be serious. SMASH AT LEVEL CROSSING By Telegraph.—Press Association. Hamilton, December 29. A collision occurred at the Victoria Street level crossing last night at 10.40, when a motor-car crashed into a goods train. S. J. Weatherley, a farmer, of Te Kowhai, was severely cut about. The other occupants and the driver had a fortunate escape.. It was raining heavily ,at the time, and the driver failed to see the approaching train. MOTOR CYCLIST INJURED. Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, December 29. When his motor-cycle skidded on the Linton hill on Saturday on the way to Wellington, George Mcllquhan, aged 23, a carpenter, sustained a broken left leg. It is believed he had just left a picnic party when he struck some loose shingle. He was brought to the. Palmerston North Hospital by the ambulance. He lives at 17 Newtown Avenue, Wellington.