FOX TRIED FOR MANSLAUGHTER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2733, 15 May 1924, Page 3

FOX TRIED FOR MANSLAUGHTER.

SEQUEL TO AUCKLAND SMASH TN NOVEMBER LAST. Auckland. Yesterday. At the Supreme Court, before Air Justice Stringer, John Andrew Fox was charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of Ronald Park Todd, police constable, on November 13, 1923. The Crown Evidence was that Todd and several others went in neeused’s motor to Papaknra at night, having three rounds of liquor there and stopping three times on the homeward way for drinks carried with them. At Epsom the car overtook and collided with a Chinese vegetable cart. Other early wayfarers stated that the car was. travelling at fifty miles an hour. Cross-examined witnesses said Todd was the leader of the escapade. For the defence it. was deposed that the utmost speed of the ear would he fifty miles an hour, and if, as stated a cylinder was missing, it could not do more than 35. Tally tests showed that if the car pulled up in twenty yards (he speed was 25 miles per hour. Accused gave evidence that he had no liquor before reaching Papakura, where he had three medium shandies. On the way home there were only two stoppages, accused drinking a small bottle of beer and part, of a bottle. At the time of the accident he was driving at not more than 25 miles. He allowed about a foot of margin when passing the cart. His theory was that the cart swerved, causing the outrigger to catch a stay of the car’s windscreen. The hearing was adjourned.