CHILDREN KILLED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22024, 2 February 1935, Page 14

CHILDREN KILLED

MOTORING FATALITY

CHARGE AGAINST FATHER

INTOXICATION ALLEGED [by tic leg raj?h—own correspondent] NAPIER, Friday The death of two children, following a motor accident on the Pukituki Road, near Clive, on the night of January 19, resulted in their father, George Leslie Houlton, bc-ing committed for trial by justices to-day on a charge that, being intoxicated in charge of a car, he drove in such a way as to cause death. The car struck the railing Qif a ismall bridge and accused's son, aged seven, and his daughter, aged six, were killed. Other members of the family who were in the car escaped. On a, further charge of being intoxicated while in charge of a car, Houlton was remanded until February 21. Dr. E. Y. Cornrie, who was summoned to the scene of the accident bj ? the police, said he found accused in a state of intoxication and unfit to drive a car. He also found signs of mental instability. . Effect oI Accident In cross-examination, D;v Comrie said his was with accused for about 15 minutes. He arrived at his conclusion by a systematic examination and by the hisitory of the case as given him by accused. The accident woidd have a marked effect upon the accused's condition of intoxication. He would bo sobei'ed by it, but people varied a great deal.

John Speakman, insurance agent, said ho saw accused between 6.15 and 6.40 on the night of the accident. Houlton was then sitting on tho running board of his car in Raffles Street. He appeared to be under tho influence of liquor and not fit to be in charge ! of a car. Witness took him home and gave him some hot tea and a meal.

"At this time Mrs. Houlton and tho three children were at my house," witnesis continued. "After Houlton had a rest I walked with him to Raffles Street to his car. I walked him back for a purpose—to make sure ho was coming round. "AH Right to Drive"

"I offered to drive him home earlier rn the evening, but after supper my wife and I were both definite about (lis being able to drive the car home to Haumoana. I said to Houlton that he would be quite all right to drive home, provided he had no further liquor on tho way. Tim car brakos were in good order, and the headlights were burning when accused left l'or home.

.Betty Joan Houlton, aged 11, daughter of the accused, said that when they reached Give her father stopped tho car and went over to tho hotel. She saw him return with a square bottle of beer. He gave it to his wife and it was placed on the back seat of tho car. Houlton then returned in tho direction of tho hotel. He was not away long, and then drove toward home.

When he g;ot off the concrete on to the shinglo road the car started toswerve and wobble about, although it was not travelling very fast. "My mother spoke to him about the way he wels driving and told him to go straight,," said witness. "He did what my mother told him." Crash Into Stream Witness did not remember the car striking the bridge. The first thing she knew was that she was in the creek undejr the car. Witness and her mother were crying, out all the time they were in the creek, but no /one responded. She did not know where her father was then. A farmer from Haumoana, Hugh McKossick, said Houlton was taken to his house after the accident. He appeared to lx; dazed and said, "The next shell may catch you." Witness considered that shock had a great deal to do with Houlton's condition. When Houlton first spoke, after referring to the shell, he appeared to be in an abnormal condition, which was not all due to liquor. Robert William England, motor engineer. said there was a definite flaw in tho steering arm where the fracture ihad taken place. The flaw might have been there for a long time. The car generally was in poor condition. Accused pleaded not guilty and was committed for trial.