MOTOR ACCIDENTS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 May 1936, Page 5

MOTOR ACCIDENTS

DRIVER CHARGED

WITH CAUSING DEATH.

(Per Press Association—Copyright).

AUCKLAND, May 7.

The trial of John Reginald Smith, aged 30, company manager, 'who was charged with negligently diiving a motor ear so as to cause the death 'of John William Beeston, aged 69, was concluded in the Supreme Court before Mr Justice Fair. The accident occurred at the intersection of Manuka u Road and the Great South Road on the night of February 23, and Beeston died in Auckland Hospital early on the morning of February 25. His Honor, in summing up, said the main point for the jury to consider was whether the accused had ' been negligent or not in failing to see deceased in the circumstances that existed at the time. The jury returned, after a retirement of four hours, with a verdict of guilty, with a very strong recommendation to mercy. In a written note handed to His Honor, the reason for recommendation, it was stated, was that it was the .unanimous opinion of the jury that the deceased had contributed in no small measure to the accident. Accused was remanded for .sentence. ' •

ANOTHER CHARGE

WELLINGTON; May 7

In .the Supreme Court Wi liam McReynolds, 28, ship’s fireman, pleaded not guilty to a charge of negligently driving a car and, thereby causing the deaths of’Charles Bradshaw and Ernest Marston. An accident oreurred near Kaivvarra on February 29, when accused’s car came in contact with a motorcycle ridden by Bradshaw, with Marston on the Crown outlined its case at length and witnesses are being called.

DRIVER KILLED,

W AIM ATE, May 7

When a.car ran back (Yards down a steep, hill at Waihao Forks hear Waimate, capsizing over a ten-loot bank this afternoon, Richard Sullivan, of \Vaimate, driver, married, with an adult family, was Killed: It is surmised the car fsiled in changing gears. The brakes did not function. A companion was unhurt.

INFANT INJURED

HAMILTON, May 7. Knocked down by a taxi when re turning home from school this after noon t Beverley Joy Webb, aeed five, received* severe head injuties. T

girl, who is a daughter of C. :L. Webb, of Franktou, fireman employed by the railways, was admit L ed ti Waikato Hospital, in a critical 1 condition.

' DEATH ENSUES.

HAMILTON, M-ry 8

The'death occurred in Waikato Hospital late last evening of Beverley Joy Webb, aged five, who received severe head injuries when struck by a taxi at Hamilton yesterday.