WIDOW AWARDED £l000.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 138, 10 May 1930, Page 12

WIDOW AWARDED £looo.

MOTOR-CYCLIST’S DEATH. After a retirement of four hours the jurv returned a verdict for plaintiff in the case in which Mrs Ada Messenger, widow, of Palmerston North, proceeded against Hildus Emmanuel Bergersen, locksmith, of Palmerston North, for £2OOO compensation for the death of her husband, AValter Hamill Messenger, who, it was alleged, had met his death by the negligent driving of defendant in a collision at the corner of Princess and Church Streets in July, 1929. The jury awarded £IOOO with all costs and disbursements. The case, which was commenced at the Palmerston North Supreme Court before His Honour the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, on Thursday, was concluded late yesterday afternoon. Mr Cooper appeared for plaintiff and Mr Onelev represented defendant. The questions submitted to the jury were answered as follow: (1) Was defendant negligent in all or any of the following respects: (a) Driving his car approaching and across the intersection at an excessive speed P—No. (b) Failing to keep a proper lookout when approaching and crossing the intersection ?—Yes. (c) Failing to stop or give way to the deceased who was approaching the intersection from defendant’s right?— Yes. (2) Was the deceased negligent in all or any of the following respects:— (a) Riding his motor cycle approaching and across the intersection at an excessive speed?—No. (b) Failing to keep a proper lookout when approaching and crossing the intersection ?—No. (c) Failing to steer his motor-cycle clear of defendant’s motor car?—No. What compensation should be paid ? —£looo. Judgment was accordingly entered against defendant.