CROSSING SMASH

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 June 1930, Page 5

CROSSING SMASH

FUNERAL OF VICTIMS. [PER press association.] CHRISTCHURCH, June 18. The funeral of three of the victims of the Sockhurn railway crossing tragedy took place to-day, the bodies of Miss Isabella D. Brand (Matron of Templeton Mental Hospital); Ralph A. M. Smith (driver of the motor car), and Charles W. Smith (engine-driver), being buried at Bromley Cemetery. The funeral of Miss Brand was private, but it was attended by Dr T. G Gray (Director-General of Mental Hospitals), Dr A. C. McKillop (Superintendent of Sunnyside Mental Hospital), and members of the staffs of Sunnyside and Templeton Mental Hospitals. The late Ralph Smith’s funeral was also attended by Dr Gray and the hospital officers. A crowd of one thousand attended the funeral of C. W. Smith, which was conducted by the Salvatibn Army. Among those present were a large number of representatives of the railway service. BRIDGES FOR CROSSINGS. WELLINGTON, June IS. The Farmers’ Union Conference passed a remit urging the Government to co-operate with the Highways Board to bridge the most dangerous of the level crossings and to provide a clear view of the railway line for fifty yards on either side of each crossing. In moving the motion Mr C. C. Jackson (Kopuaranga) said that they should urge the Government to speed up the bridging of crossings. They could not expect it to be done at once as it was said it would cost two and a-half millions, but there was no reason why th§ work should not be speeded up, especially in view of the frequent loss of life. CAR OVER BANK. GISBORNE, June 18. Through the driver of a car mistaking the road, the car went ovei a seventy foot bank at Whatatutu this evening, and three men were admitted to Cook Hospital. One passenger, named James Brown, is in a serious condition. The other two. Trevor Charles Tong (driver), and Frank Chadwick, a passenger, are .suffering from minor injuries. The three men are from Auckland districts. FATAL INJURIES. WELLINGTON, June 18. The death has occurred of Mrs W. S. Williams, of Dewsbury Terrace, Oriental Bay, who was knocked down by a motor lorry on Monday evening. INTOXICATED DRIVERS..

NEW PLYMOUTH, June 17. In the Inglewood Magistrate’s Court to-day, Stanley Gross pleaded guilty to a charge of being intoxicated while driving a car. His license was cancelled for one year, he was admitted to probation for a year, and was prohibited for a year. The motorist with the distinction of having plunged New Plymouth into darkness appeared in the Court to-day. He was an American citizen, George Lewis Coles, an oil driller. Having admitted intoxication while in charge of his car, he was admitted to probation for one year, his driving license being cancelled, and iie was ordered to pay expenses, including £l3 Bs, the Borough Council’s repair account. Coles drove his car on to the footpath, struck an electric light pole, and snapped it, bringing down the power lines. He was in the hospital for a fortnight.

COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. HAMILTON, June 19. Hector John Shaw, farmer, Tauwhare, charged with dangerous d,riving, so as to cause the death of Thomas Barton Shaw on May 8, at Newstead, was committed for trial. CYCLIST KILLED. CAMBRIDGE, June 19. In the early hours of this morning, a fatality occurred on the main road at Karapro, about three miles from Cambridge, when Robert Adams, about 30, single, was knocked off’ a bicycle through a collision with a car, and killed almost instantaneously. He sustained shocking Injuries, including the left arm badly fractured, leg broken at thigh, and grievous wounds to his face. Deceased was cycling to Cambridge. It is surmised that his cycle skidded in the loose sand, and evidently the car ran right over the man and cycle. The car driver, James Oliver Barnett, of Putararu, sustained a gash over the temple, and is suffering from shock: A companion. Malcolm Angus, was uninjured, but is suffering from shock.