FATAL TAXI SMASH.

Grey River Argus, 11 December 1928, Page 5

FATAL TAXI SMASH.

EVIDENCE OF DRINKING. WELLINGTON, De-'.nber 10. The adjourned inquest on Joseph O’Neill, who died as the result of injuries received when a taxi, which he was riding in went over a bark in Taita Gorge, in the early house of the morning of December 3rd. was continued before Mr J. H. Salmon today. Joseph Enoch Horsfall, custodian of the oil tangcr Otakia. said that O’Neill and the taxi driver visited him on the night of December 2nd. O’Neill had been drinking a bit, but the taxi driver was all right. The driver whom he had known in Auckland as Sergeant, brought some fish and chips, and a bottle of whisky from the car. and each man had a drink. The three returned to the taxi, where more liquor was and it was decided to go for a drive along the Hutt road. They made two stops, and had more liquor, but witness could not swear definitely whether the driver had drink on these occasions. They stopped at Quinn’s Post, where O’Neill had five drinks. Witness saw Sergeant with a glass in his hand, and heard him say. “Make it light.” At this stage the inquest was adjourned till to-morrow.