DEATH OF MRS BLACK

New Zealand Times, Volume XLV, Issue 10432, 10 November 1919, Page 4

DEATH OF MRS BLACK

OPENING OF INQUIRY. An inquiry was opened on Saturday morning, before Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., into tho circumstances of the death of Mrs Mabel Black, wife of Detective Black, who was killed in a street accident on Thursday last. Detective-Sergeant Bcott appeared on behalf of the police, and Mr E. M. Beechey represented Bennett B. Williams, tho driver fcf the motor-car. Stanley Keith Siddells, a resident of Wanganui, said that on Thursday he was standing at tho corner of Oourbenay place and Cambridge terrace, when no heard screams. On turning in the direction from which they ema*nated ho saw the wheels of a motorcar passing over tho deceased. Tho car proceeded about thirteen yards, sworved towards tho pavement, and was brought to -a stop. In his opinion the car was travelling at fifteen miles an hour when tho accident took place. Robert George Black, detective, stated that the deceased was his wife, and was twenty-six years of age. He lived at 22, Stafford street, and on Thursday afternoon his wife left home at 2.20 o'clock, and was in the best of health. Her eyesight was good, aa was her hearing. George 11. Quinlan stated that he was standing at tho intersection of Courtonay place and Cambridge torrace on Thursday afternoon. He saw a woman walk from the footpath in Majoribanka street ip the direction of Courtenay place. Sho did not appear to see the car - approaching, or the driver to see the lady, who was knocked down, and two whee'.s of tho car passed over her body. As far as witness could remember, the driver sounded the horn as the car came in contact with the deceased. The car was proceeding at a fair rate of speed at the time. Witness had no recollection of any other vehicles being in the vicinity. At this stage the inquiry was adjourned till Wednesday afternoon.