Soldier Acquitted

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 44, 20 February 1941, Page 8

Soldier Acquitted

ACCIDENT NEAR BULLS A jury in the Supreme Court at Wanganui returned a verdict of not guilty in tho case of Percy David Wootton, a corporal serving with the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, who was charged witn negligent driving on the main highway between Martou and Bulls on the night of November 16, thereby causing liie deaths of Herbert Maxted Blunden, of Kakariki, and Alfred lan Armitage, of Bulls. The trial opened before Mr. Justice Smith on Monday. Wootton, who pleaded not guilty, was represented by Mr. H. F. U Leary, K.U. (Wellington), with him Mr. K. A. Williams (Marton). Mr. N. F. Bain, Grown Prosecutor, conducted the prosecution. j Fisted E. Blunden, brother of 11. M. BlundeD, a shearer residing at lvakariki, said that on November 16 ho had been shearing at Oroua Downs up to 8 p.m. He leii. with his brother and Joo Poutama, a fellow-shearer, at 10 p.m. for Marton. When aoout a mile north of Bulls witness’s brother felt sick, so he pulled up and sat on the running boa id. When a car was heard approaching from tho rear the lights were twitched on to the dip position. Two other cars passed them from the opposite direction, and then Armitage came along on his bicycle and spoitc to them, res'llng his foot on the running board. While they were there they heard a car approaching from Martou and as it came near Armitage called out “look out,” and tried to get round the back of the truck. Then there was a big collision. Witness jumped out and at once looked for his brother, whom he found some way off dead. Then he found Armitage. The car was on the other side of the hedge. Other evidence was given for the prosecution. Wootton, in evidence, said he entered camp at Trentham with the Army Service Corps in October. He was now a corporal, and was 37 years of age. At 3.30 p.m. on November 16 ho arrived at Merton in his car, with War-rant-Officer F. Andrews as a passenger. He ha d three “pony shandies” during tho afternoon, and nothing to drink after dinner. He left Marton at 11 p.m. with three Air Force men in the oack seat, calling at French Street to pick up Andrews. The lights of his car were good, but threw a. narrow beam. Visibility was fair. He travelled at about 40 miles an hour. He swerved slightly to avoid a hedgehog on the road, having punctured a tyre by running over one three weeks previously. Then a cyclist loomed ahead, moving, he thought, to his left. There was a blinding flash of light and a collision. His first recollection after tho impact was the racing of his engine through