MOTORIST CHARGED.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 182, 4 July 1931, Page 10

MOTORIST CHARGED.

SEQUEL TO ACCIDENT.. Per Press Association. HASTINGS, July 3. As a sequel to a motor accident, in which a young mail was killed at Hastings on May 30, Edward Robert Kellett was charged to-day with negligently driving a car, thereby causing the death of Raymond Bennett Smith. Mr Mowlem, S.M., was on tho bench, and Mr H. C. Baird presided as coroner over an inquest held simultaneously. The charge was the outcome of an allegation that Smith met his death by being knocked down by a car driven bv two men who did not own it, and who disappeared immediately after the fatality. Detective Farquharson said that he questioned Kellett on May 30. He denied being the occupant of the car concerned in tho collision, hut said that he was close to the scene when it occurred. He rushed to assist and afterward went home. Accused denied having stolen the car. Witness again interviewed accused, who then admitted going to Cornwall Park to see the hockey, where he met a young Maori whose name ho did not know and who asked him to go for a ride. They went in a three-seater car, the Maori driving. Accused said Qiey had better take the car back, and they decided to do so, but on the way the collision occurred. Accused gave a hand in removing the car and when he looked up the Maori had gone. Kellett said he heard someone say: “He’s dead,” and so decided to get out, as he did not wish to be implicated. "Witness said that accused made still a further statement admitting he himself took the car from Cornwall Park and drove it away. In explaining the accident he said that he expected the motor-cycle to give way, but as it did not he swerved to the ’right, but could not avoid a collision. When told that the man was dead he got frightened and went off. No one else was in the car with him. In concluding the inquest, Mr Mowlem returned a verdict that death was due to injuries received in a collision between a motor-cycle ridden by deceased and a car driven by Edward Robert Kellett. Kellett pleaded* not guilty to the charge and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was refused.