CORONER’S REMARK

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 50, Issue 3056, 31 March 1941, Page 5

CORONER’S REMARK

EVIDENCE QUESTIONED |

VERDICT AT INQUEST

MOTOR ACCIDENT SEQUEL

An intimation that he was not « convinced that the whole truth had been told was made by the Thames coroner, Mr W. Bongard, in his finding at the inquest into the death of Patricia Henrietta Ford.

The coroner found that Miss Ford had died from lacerations to the brain and loss of blood from injuries received in a motor collision. The accident took place in the early hours of January 30 when a light car, driven by 'Captain Lake, of Paeroa, struck a telegraph pole at the southern end of Pollen street, Thames, after returning from a trip to Tapu. The inquest was held on March 5 and resumed’on Wednesday last, the finding being given on Friday night.

The coroner said in his finding:—

“ I have had considerable thought and perhaps difficulty in defining the precise scope of this inquiry. It must be remembered that no one is on trial in a Coroner’s Court. With a sense s>f justice and decency due to the relatives of the deceased, Miss Ford, I have endeavoured to obtain evidence of relevant happenings immediately prior to the death.

‘From the evidence taken, I am far from convinced that the whole truth has been told. “ The findings will be in accordance with the medical evidence: Lacerations to the brain and loss of blood from injuries received in a motor-car collision.”