A MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 16 December 1920, Page 5

A MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR.

SEVERAL PEOPLE BADLY INJURED.

WELLINGTON,. Dec. 16, liie street accident is. at present more or less mysterious. A car with only one occupant, the driver, was seen by the police and others dashingthrough the streets at 40 miles 'al hour. Its course through Willis and Manners street took it along the most narrow and crowded thoroughfares in the city. One tyre flew off, and the car rocked from side to side,. But the driver still kept on. There is a sharp turn from Wilhs into Manners street, and this was- taken with difficulty At the junction of Cuba street and Manners street a large crowd from the empty picture halls was waiting for trams. The driver still came on, Ihoutmg out to get out of his way, and people were running, and pushing in all directions.. The car was almost on the pavement. It then swerved and su-uck an Island Bay tram. The running board was smashed, and it took some ok the impetus off the car, which swerved again across the street. Norman Beck and Miss Stubbs, who were the most injured, were round wedged between the front wheels. The former was severely gashed and injured, the latter suffering a compound fracture of the ' left leg. Thomas Steele, a returned soldier, nad his wooden leg splintered, and was roughly knocked about. Miss Alma Oliver was injured about the legs. These were those who were most severely handled. Five or six others got bruises. When the police came to look for the driver he had disappeared, and Beck was at first thought to be he, but it was afterwards ascertained from the number of the car that the owner was one Clarke, of Lyall Bay, a ion or one of the best-known Wellington residents.