SUPREME COURT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 27 July 1927, Page 2

SUPREME COURT

TAWA FLAT MOTOR FATALITY

(United Press Association)

WELLINGTON, This Day

The Supijfcme Gooirt heaving of charges of manslaughter anil negligently driving a car so as to cause the death of Helen Teller in the motor tragedy on 3rd .June at Tawa Flat, occupied all yesterday. The case was adjourned until 10.30 this morning.

It was stilted by the Crown Presecutor that the accusation is that while returning from the Otaki races accused ■ Walling passed a car driven by Alex Coleman at a dangerous spot on the narrow road between Tawa Flat and Johnsonville, He pulled over to the side and forced Coleman's car over the bank, where it fell 67 feet. Mrs Telfer had her neck broken, and another passenger had an ankle broken. Evidence was given by Coleman in support of the Crown statement.and by another-witness, who said he sa'v a Hudson car cul across Coi'eman's and drive it over the bank. He cnased it and secured the number, which was: that of accused's car.

Walling gave evidence that the first he heard of the accident was when he stopped about a mile and a quarter past the scene. A passing motor cyclist asked him if he was all right. Then a passing car informed him of the accident and he turned back and gave assistance. -Acpused accounted for the mark on his mudguard by the fact that he grazed a telegraph post at Garret street.

h\ the Supreme Court, in the case in ■which Walling is charged with manslaughter in connection with a motoi fatality, Constable Morrison gave evidence as to interviewing accused at 2 a.m. after the accident at his residence. In a signed statement lie said he was the owner of car 77-253, and thai it could not have been his car that caused the accident, lie had driven from the races at Otaki and had slopped before reaching the scene of the accident and helped to bring Mrs Telford's body up. In a signed statement Mrs Walling said that in Ngahatnangi Gorge they were informed of the accident and 'turned bade. This statement was read in ac cuscd's presence. In an unsigned statement Mrs Walling said they stopped before the scene of the accident. His Honour remarked that only Hie signed statement could go before the To counsel, witness said it was easy for a car travelling near the crumbling edge of the road at. the spot to go over. A lorry had gone over not far from the 'spot.