COURT ADJOURNS TO HOSPITAL

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 119, 13 February 1941, Page 8

COURT ADJOURNS TO HOSPITAL

Bedside Deposition

NEGLIGENT DRIVING

CHARGE

tVlieJi a charge of negligent driving was heard before Mr. Stout, S.M., in the Magistrates’ Court yesterday, the Court adjourned ito tlie Wellington Public Hospital to take a bedside deposition from a principal witness. Edwin Elias Barrows, secretary, was committed to the Supreme Court for trial on a charge of negligently driving a car in Kent Terrace on December 23, and causing bodily injury to William McPhee Murdoch, tram conductor. Senior Sergeant G. J. Paine appeared for the police, Mr. S. G. Stephenson for Barrows. Ralph Cecil Robinson, tramway motorman, said that ou December 23 he was the driver of a tram which left Courtenay Place for Kilbiruie, the conductor being W illiani McPhee Murdoch. After leaving the Vivian Street stop the pole came off the wire. The conductor apparently stepped behind the car to put the pole back on the wire. Witness felt a hard impact and heard Murdoch call out “He’s got me.” He rushed to the back of the car and Murdoch collapsed in his arms, saying, “I’m done for! Send for my wife.” He held Murdoch till the arrival of the Free Ambulance. Witness asked who was tlie driver of the car. Barrows replied that he was. . A thick, drizzling rain was falling at the time. The street was one of the best lit in Wellington. The tram itself was in darkness at the time. The tram travelled about 70 yards after the pole came off before it stopped. After faking evidence during the morning, the Court adjourned to the hospital in the afternoon to enable a deposition to be taken from Murdoch. Barrows pleaded not guilty and was committed for trial. His defence was reserved.