ACCIDENT SEQUEL

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25202, 15 May 1945, Page 7

ACCIDENT SEQUEL

CHAEGES DENIED ACCUSED SENT FOR TRIAL Charged with failing to stop after an accident, Phillip Hay vice, described as a managing director (Mr Robinson), appeared before Mr J. H. Luxford, S.M., yesterday. He was also charged with failing to render assistance to an injured person and failing to ascertain if anyone was injured. The charges arose from an accident near the junction of Symonds and Wakefield Streets at about 7.40 p.m. on March 8, when a pedestrian was struck by a car which did not stop. Sub-Inspector Sparks prosecuted. Constable Chalmers said that he visited the scene of the accident at about i .50 p.m. The injured man was taken to hospital, but there was no sign of the motor-vehicle concerned. At 11.30 he located a motor-car parked in a near-by street. On examination he found a bump on the right-hand front mudguard and saw that the paint was slightly scratched. He again examined the car in daylight the following morning and discovered blood on the rear right-hand door and on the rear righthand mudguard. Evidence of an interview he had with accused at 11.30 on the night of the accident was given by Constable Chalmers. He said, after admitting that he was the hirer of the car, accused denied that be had been involved in any accident. He gave an account of his activities during the afternoon and said that he arrived home at 7.30 p.m., after driving along Symonds Street. He did not remember anything striking his car. Accused stated that lie had four whiskies during the day. Witness said there had been no attempt to wash blood off the car. Dr Selwvn Hills, assistant pathologist at the Auckland Hospital, said that he examined the car at the Central police station on March 12. The bloodstains proved to be human blood. A hair handed to him by Constable Chalmers was similar to hair taken from the man who was knocked down. A witness of the accident, .Tames Noel Wood, said that lie was proceeding down Symonds Street at about 7.40 p.m. As he passed the City Road intersection he saw two cars approaching on the opposite side of the road, one apparently overtaking the other. Silhouetted in the lights of the first car was the figure of an old man. Witness heard an impact and saw the old man hit a glancing blow by, the right-hand side

of the outside car. The car appeared to slow down slightly for a second and then increase speed greatly. Visibility was very poor at the time. The victim of the accident, John Orsulich, of Manurewa, also gave evidence. He said that he was crossing the road in order to sit on the seats near the Queen Victoria statue. When he reached about the western set of tramlines he became unconscious. The previous witness, Wood, was recalled and he identified Orsulich as the man who had been knocked down by the car. Accused pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial, bail being allowed at £IOO on his own recognisance. ■ INCREASES IN WAGES ELECTRICAL TRADES Increases in the rates of pay for workers in electrical trades have been granted by the Court of Arbitration in amendments to the Northern Industrial District Electrical Workers' and Electrical Workers (Electric-Power Boards, etc.) Awards. Journeymen electricians to whom the first award applios have been given a rise of 3Jd an hour and the allowance for meals has been increased to 2s. The minimum rates of pay for electric-power board employees have been increased by 10s a week, and they, too, are to receive a mealallowance of 2s. For both awards, the amendments date from April 1. LAUNDRY WORKERS GENERAL IMPROVEMENT Both junior and senior laundry workers are to receive an increase in wages as a result of an amendment to the Northern Industrial District Laundry Workers, Dyers and DryCleaners' Award made by the Court of Arbitration. For male workers, the weekly wage of juniors has been increased by from -Is to 12s 6(1 according to experience, while adult workers have been granted an extra 10s a week. In the case of females, juniors are to receive an increase of from 3s (id to 12s a week and the minimum adult wage has been fixed at £3 2s 6d. Foreman dyers have been granted a further ]os a week, and hand washerwomen <s 6d, and the special allowance to depot hands has been increased by Is a week. A meal-money allowance of 2* has been authorised. The new rates came into force on April 1. Change to "Amber Tips" for a rich, fragrant cup of the purest Tea grown. —Advt.