DEATH OF HUSBAND

Evening Post, Issue 30, 4 August 1936, Page 10

DEATH OF HUSBAND

WIDOW CLAIMS £2500

JERVOIS QUAY ACCIDENT

The fatal injuries suffered by Henry, Stent, a shop assistant, aged 41, who was knocked down by a motor-cap when crossing Jervois Quay on December 31 last resulted in a claim for £2500 damages being brought in the Supreme Court today by his widow, Janet Scott Stent,- before his Honour Mr. Justice Johnston and a jury. Liability was admitted by the insurance company concerned, but not by the defendant, Frederick Collins Leach, a motor salesman. As the company was the virtual defendant, the jury was asked to assess' the damages.

Mr. O. C. Mazengarb, with him Mr. W. B. Brown, appeared for the plaintiff, who proceeded for herself and her fourteen-year-old daughter; and Mr. Evan Parry appeared for the defendant. "

The allegations in the statement oS claim were that the defendant, driving along Jervois Quay in a southerly; direction, was negligent in failing to keep a proper look-out, failing .to give warning of his approach, failing to slow down, stop, or'otherwise avoid Stent, and driving at an excessive speed in the circumstances.

In his address to the jury Mr. Parry said a curious position had arisen. As was known, an insurance fund was in. | existence for motor accident claims, I and in this case the insurance company had thought it advisable to admit liability. The defendant, however,' absolutely denied that the accident was due to his' negligence, and, in fairness to him, his denial had to be mentioned in Court. The conduct of the proceedings, though, was in the hands of the insurance company, and therefore the jury had to take liability as admitted. £2000 AWARDED. The jury retired shortly before the luncheon adjournment and returned at 2.25. The plaintiff was awarded £2000, of which is to be set aside foi* four years'.