ACCIDENT SEQUEL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23748, 30 August 1940, Page 6

ACCIDENT SEQUEL

TWO MEN CHAEGED PONY KILLED, RIDER HURT ' CASE PARTLY HEARD An accident in which a horse was killed and its rider was injured at Kumeu on July 16 was the basis of a case heard by Mr. J. Morling, S.M., in the Police Court j'esterday. Norman Harrison, cartage contractor, aged 33 (Mr.. Duggan), was charged with being intoxicated in charge of a motor-truck and by an act or omission causing bodily harm to Stanley Robert Nixon and failing to stop. Albert Beard Talbot, farmer (Mr. Goldstine), was charged with negligently driving a motor-truck so as to cause bodily injury to Nixon and failing to stop. Victor Raymond Simpson, barman, said he served both accused with liquor at the Huapai Hotel on July 16. Before they left at about 6 p.m. Harrison was showing signs of intoxication, and Talbot, who was sober, offered to drive him home. The hotel licensee, Alexander Burr, said he saw Talbot drive Harrison's truck, which was painted red, away from the hotel toward Kumeu. Stanley Robert Nixon, aged 15, said he was riding home from Kumeu toward Waimauku at about 6.15 p.m. on July 16, when a motor-truck travelling fast came toward him. It was on its incorrect side of the road when it struck witness, throwing him from his horse, which was killed. The truck did not stop. Later witness found red paint marks on tho horse's saddle and cloth. Rebecca McKenzie, married, said she saw Harrison's truck near her home, two miles from Kumeu, at about 6.30 p.m. Talbot was at the wheel drinking from a bottle and Harrison was seated beside him. On July 19 Talbot called to tell her they were "trying to push the accident on to him." Ho suggested she might have a visitor and she should say she saw the truck at 6.5 p.m. and not 6.30. . Dr. M. S. Harris, of Kumeu, said he attended to Nixon for severe cuts arid abrasions at about 6.30 p.m. and later sent him to the Auckland Hospital. Witness examined Harrison at b-o. p.m., when he was incapable of having chargo of a motor vehicle. The hearing was adjourned until to-day.