CLAIM FOR DAMAGES

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 220, 18 August 1931, Page 5

CLAIM FOR DAMAGES

TRIPLE CAR COLLISION. MASTERTON, Aug, 17. Whose was the responsibility for a triple collision which took place on April 6 between cars driven by J. Fordyce, of Feilding, F. H. Palmer, of Masterton, and J. D. Murray, of Eketaliuna, was the question Mr J. Miller. S.M., had to decide in an involved claim for damages which came before him in tho Eketahuna Police Court. The first collision occurred between the cars of Fordyce and Palmer. Fordyce’s car continued on somo distance and then came into collision with Murray’s car. The position tvas further complicated by the fact that Fordyce was a minor, and that the car was owned by his employers, a Feilding firm. Fordyce, according to tho evidence, had no authority to use the car.

Claims were made bv the firm against Palmer and against Murray, and by Murray against the firm and against Fordyce. After lengthy evidence had been heard judgment was given for Palmer and Murray on the claims in which they appeared a.s defendants, but the magistrate held that ho could not hold tho firm liable for any damage as at tho time of the accident, Fordvce, the driver, was on his own business. Judgment was therefore entered for Murray against Fordyce only.