MOTOR-CYCLIST'S DEATH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20620, 19 July 1930, Page 12

MOTOR-CYCLIST'S DEATH.

COLLISION WITH A CAR.

DRIVER ABSOLVED FROM BLAME

[by TKr.EOU a PH.—OWN COP.RESI'ONIIKNT. ] HAMILTON, Friday.

" No one was to blame except the unfortunate young man who was killed," said the coroner, Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., at Mie inquest held to-day concerning the death of John Langford Gavev, aged 26, who was killed in a collision at Horotiu on June 14.

Mr. Gavev was a salesman by occupation and was married. lie had been a resident of Point Chevalier. Mr. George Knsoof, who was riding in the sidecar with Gavev, was injured in the collision. Evidence was given bv Ambrose Henry Baldwin, miner, Huntly, that he left Hamilton at 1 p.m. on June 14 in a. motor-car and when passing through Horotiu ho saw a motor-cycle and sidecar approaching at a very fast rate. Witness drew hir, car on to tho grass on tho left hand side to allow the motor-cycle to pass. The cyclo skidded and struck his cn r.

Another motorist , E. G. B. Harris, salesman. Hamilton, said Gavev passed him on tho road at Horotiu. He witnessed the collision and said that Mr. Baldwin did all he could to avoid it.

I'r. (}. B. Isdale, Ngaiuawahia, said deceased suffered from a fractured skull and lacerated brain and bad several ribs broken.

The coroner said quite impartial witnesses had given evidence that Gavey's cycle had been driven at too high a rate of speed and had got. out of control. Mr. Baldwin ".pprehended danger and did what, he. could to avoid a collision. Death was flue to a fracture of tho skull, caused in an accidental collision. TK WAITF BRIDGE. CEREMONY AT OPENING. fItV TFXKOKAI'I?.—OWN ronprSPONOKN'T. 1 OPOTIKf. Fviflny. The official opening of the Te Waili Bridge over the Otara River was performed to-day in fine weather bv Mr. .T. 11. Moid, chairman of (he Op'otiki County Council. The arrangements v ere in the hand.-, of the Upper Otara Settlers' Association. which had invited members of all the Opoliki local bodies, besides other citizens, to attend. I lie crossing at the site has long been a big drawback to settlers, who have often had great difficulty in geltim; slock and wool out. Mr. A. Gordon, chairman of the as social ion, welcomed tho visitors and expressed appreciation of the efforts of the former Minister of Public Works and the County Council, which had resulted in lhe construction of the bridge. Mrs. Saunders, an old resident, out the ribbon, and Mr. Reid thru declared the bridge to bo open. The bridge is 135 it. long.