BULLS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 251, 20 September 1933, Page 10

BULLS

(From Our Own Correspondent.) BULLS, Sept. 19. Mr It. M. Watson, S.M., presided over a sitting of tho Court in Bulls on Saturday, the greater part of the day being taken up with the hearing of a motorist’s claim, the outcome of a collision which occurred near Bulls on December 27, 1932. Mr Laurenson appeared for plaintiff, E. G. Matthews, carrier, Palmerston North, and Mr A. ID. Brodio defended the other party to the action. Ann E. Shepphard, Wanganui. Mr Laurenson outlined plaintiff’s case, stating that on the date in question ho was travelling towards Palmerston North in a car driven by T. Andrews, of Palmerston North; that when adjacent to the Rangitikei dairy factory, when just having passed over a culvert bridge, a collision occurred with a car owned by defendant and driven by her husband. Such collision, it was alleged, was caused by the negligence of defendant or her agent in failing to have her car efficiently lighted, failing to keep to tho left-hand side of the road, and to keep a proper look out. As a result of tho collision plaintiff suffered severe injury, and required medical attention for some weeks, wherefor he claimed £2O 8s medical, and £IOO general damages. Plaintiff gave evidence on the lines of

counsel’s statement. In the crash plaintiff said he was badly injured, and was under medical treatment for 11 weeks. It was impossible for him to work during that period. Thomas Andrews, driver of the car, said that when lie saw the impact coming he applied his car brakes. After the accident he traced his own wheel tracks, which showed that he had travelled jn a straight line about a foot from the side of the culvert. William Ward, a passenger in the car, and ' Arthur Parker, who arrived on the scene a minute after the collision occurred, also gave evidence. The lolt light in Sliepphard’s car, the latter witness said, had a rusty reflector, but as far as he could see the light was a good one, and the spotlight was also good. . This concluded the evidence for plaintiff In addressing the Court Mr Brodio said that the onus was on plaintiff to prove negligence, but this, he held, w-as not proved by the conflicting ' evidence adduced. And, .further, the onus was on plaintiff to prove that Mrs Shepphard was the owner of the car. In view of the fact that this had not been proved he applied for a non-suit on the point. . . ■ After conferring with- his client. Mr Laurenson accepted a non-suit, costs totalling £7 18s being allowed defendant. For driving .a motor vehicle without a license Douglas J. Walt was convicted and fined £1 (costs 13c). 1). Fitzpatrick, on the information of Inspector W. Berry, was

charged with being .the owner of IB head of cattle, found straying. He wa= fined 15s. with costs 10s. , , , , r. Following is the draw loi the L.G.G. medal round, to be played on 1 Mrs Hendry v. Miss McKenzie, Air, A cSfS Burgh’ Mrs Ck H: Sci 'v Mrs'Shuw. Airs Jimsell V Airs Anderson. Mrs Gould v Alls* P Lovett, Miss Coodall v. Alms Pa ...or, lilies Anion v. Miss -Brookie, Aliss Baile.v v Airs Goodall, Mrs Carter v, Mrs MeKelvie, Airs Diw v- -‘1 MeKelvic v. MTV. mL’D. Per,.ft v. Miss Price Miss Stevens v. scorer Mrs Caldow v Mrs Smart, Mrs Pearce v Mrs Gibbons. Miss Dwyer v. Alice Murphy.