SEQUEL TO COLLISION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21716, 3 February 1934, Page 14

SEQUEL TO COLLISION

ACCIDENT NEAR WAITOA ONE DRIVER FINED [FROM OUR OWN correspondent"] TE AROHA, Friday A sequel to a collision between two motor-cars on the Waitoa-Tatuanui Rot d was heard in the Te Aroha Magistrate's Court, when William Richard Smith, of Waitoa, farmer (Mr. King), was charged with failing to keep a proper look-out when approaching an intersection. Norman Watson, of Te Aroha, taxi • driver (Mr. Gilchrist, jun.), was charged with driving in a negligent mar tier and at a speed dangerous to the public. E sie Smith, daughter of the defendant Smith, said her father's car had com i to a standstill on the gravel side of ihe road, and that Watson's car swerved in and struck it. Watson's speel was terrific. Her father had sounded his horn and taken all precautions. Watson said he did not see Smith's car until almost abreast of the intersection. Smith had hesitated and, seeing witness had accelerated to pass liinu' Smith came on again and just caught his ;ar on the rear wheel. It was a glan :ing blow, sufficient to deflect his own car from its course and send it somersaulting toward a pole. Had Smith kept a proper look-out thero would have been no accident. The magistrate. Mr. F. W, Platts. said thero was no conclusive evidence that Smith had failed to give way. Tho charge against him would bo dismissed. The facts proved that Watson was travelling at a high rate of speed, and ho woul I be fined £5 and costs.