LOST MEMORIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 July 1936, Page 14

LOST MEMORIES

MOTOR CYCLIST COMMITTED.

[FEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

CHRISTCHURCH, July 21. Both the motor-cyclist and his pillion passenger stated that they hat lost all memory of an accident in which thej' were involved on Ferry road on May 17 last, when Jack Raistrick, aged 21, a printer, was charged in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday with recklessly driving a motor-cycle in Ferry road, thereby causing the death of Helen Berry Adam. Raistrick, tor whom Mr. C. S. Thomas appeared, pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. The court proceedings were before Mr. E. C. Levvey, S.M., and at the same time the inquest was held into the death of the woman, the following being the verdict:—“That Helen Berry Adam died at Christchurch on May 11, 1936, her death being due to heartfailure associated with shock due to severe injuries received by her on May 17 in Ferrv road, when she was run into and knocked down by Jack Raistrick.” Mr. L. W. Gee appeared for the relatives. The police produced a statement ID Raistrick, in which, accused stated that he could not recall anything on the afternoon of the accident, or any of the events leading up to it. He had been riding a ’ motor-cycle for three years and had never had an accident. Ihe only offence for which he had been before the court was for cutting a corner. He considered himself a careful rider. He had suffered severe injuries through the accident. Raistrick had declined to sign the statement, the police said, althoug t he admitted that it was true in every detail.

PAINT AS EVIDENCE

NEW PLYMOUTH, July 21

In endeavouring to establish a connection between green paint on overcoat buttons and the paint on part ot a motor-truck, the Crown produced evidence from the Government pathologist (Dr. P. Lynch) and an assistant analyst at the resumed hearing to-day of a charge of negligent driving, causing death, against Samuel Edward George Hawke. Apart from these, the chief witness was Sergeant S. G. Clist, who visited the scene of the accident at Oakura on the evening of June 11 shortly after Leonard Wylie Blanchard was killed and Thomas Jury, a pillion-rider, was seriously injured when their motorcycle was struck by a passing vehicle. The sergeant visited Hawke’s home and took him and his companion, R. B. Gray, and a motor-truck which had a dent in a mudguard to the police station.

Fifteen of the 30 Crown witnesses had been heard when the Court adjourned to allow Hawke to attend his sister’s funeral.