MOTORISTS IN COLLISION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 10244, 14 December 1915, Page 7

MOTORISTS IN COLLISION.

PARTIES BEFORE THE COURT. ■ | At the Palmerston Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr. J. W. Poynton, $.M.j William. Dale was charged with driving a motor ear at a speed calculated to be a danger to the public. The )tfence was alleged to have taken place .it Palmerston on November 5, and resulted in defendant colliding with a recurned soldier, William Tennent, who vvas riding a motor cycle, with the result that the latter's leg was broken. Defendant pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr. Innes. Sergeant Henry conducted the case for the police. William Tennent stated he was a returned soldier. On November she was riding a motor cycle in Main street, near the Palmerston railway station. He left the station and was going in the direction of the Square when he saw a car approaching slowly, and he pulled out to pass'it. As he did so a large grey car came out from behind the first ear and collided with witness before lie could get clear. The car was travelling at a pace of between 10 and 15 miles an hour, and as a result of the accident witness had his leg broken, and had been in hospital practically ever since. The bicycle was also badly damaged. To Mr. Innes: Had been riding a motor for ten years. There were only two cars on the road at the time of the accident. Both were approaching witness. The one in front was travelling slow, and defendant's car came out from behind and collided with witness. When witness pulled out to pass the first car he did not know there was another behind it.

Wilfred Turner, Tarakina, 6aid ho was in the vicinity of the Palmerston station on November 5. Ho saw Tennent there. Tennent mounted his motor cycle and proceeded r up towards the Square at a slow pace. At this time two cars were approaching, one behind the other. The second car was going the faster of the two and swerved out to pass the loading one, when he collided with the cyclist. Constable Culloty said he was on duty at the station on the day of the accident. Witness! saw Tennent go out on to the road from the railway station. Dale's car approached at between 10 and 15 miles an hour, and swerved into Tennent. Dale came up behind another car, and was travelling at a dangerous pace as there were a large number of people in the street. William Dale, taxi driver, the defendant, said he was driving to the station on the sth November, with passengers. On approaching the station he saw a can near the stand at the station, and witness pulled out to avoid it. At this time he also saw Tennent come out from the station on a motor cycle. Witness cut off the power on his car, blew his horn and called out to Tennent,. but Tennent had his head down, and the collision occurred. Witness was only travelling at about three miles an hour when the accident happened. To Sergeant Henry: Witness applied his brakes, and the reason he swerved to the gutter was to avoid Tennent if possible. Witness's speedometer registered eight miles going down Main ,street.

To Mr Innes: Constable Culloty came over to witness after the accident occurred, and said he (witness) was not responsible for it. Thomas Walker, gardener, Palmerston, said he .saw Dale's ear approach cm the morning of the accident. Dale pulled out to avoid another car when the motor cyclist went out on the road. Witness heard Dale call out, but the accident could not be avoided and the cyclist struck the offside lamp.. To Mr times-. Witness considered Dale was travelling at a reasonable pace, and not a dangerous pace. He did not think either party to the accident were responsible, because their view was obstructed by the second car. He heard the constable say that Dale was not responsible party, and he (witness) did not think so either.

To Sergeant Henry: When the cyclist oamo on to the road he appeared to he looking down doing something to his machine. Dak's car turned towards the gutter after the impact carrying the cycle with it. Frederick Aisher, of Palmerston, said he was standing on the footpath opposite the station when the accident occurred. A car pulled out of the stand and turned into the street when Dale was approaching. Dale pulled out to avoid him when the cyclist commenced to ride up the street. The cyclist had his head clown and witness heard Dale call out, hut the cyclist did not apparently hear, as he was pushed over by Dale's off lamp. Dale swerved to avoid running over the cyclist and pulled up in a car length. To Sergeant Henry: The cyclist could have avoided the accident if he had looked where he was going. His Worship said he was afraid defendant was driving too fast considering the number of people about. The fact that the cyclist had been careless did not alter the case.' A fine of 10s would be inuK>;ed. with costs £2 Gs.