Heavy Damages Awarded

NZ Truth, Issue 1018, 30 May 1925, Page 9

Heavy Damages Awarded

Sequel to Motor Fatality,

After a, hearing lasting three days, before Mr. Justice Reed and a. jury of 12, a verdict, against Dr. Martin, exMayor of Ngaruawahia, with damages amounting to £J)00 ; and costs on the highest scale, was entered at the Supreme Court, Auckland. The action arose out of a motor fatality, by which Mrs. Evelyn Grace Stevens lost her life. The father of the deceased. Henry John Saulbrey, as executor -and trustee ?of the will, sued Dr. Martin and James Thomas JJouce for v£lsoo, the allegation being that the death of the deceased was due to the negligence of one . or other or both of the defendants. Mrs., Stevens .met her death by being knocked down by the -doctor's car, it being claimed that, owing to the dazzling headlights of the defendant Douce's car, Dr. Martin was vunable to : see the woman m front of him. .. After hearing many witnesses and>addresses by each counsel and the. Judge, the; v jury was given eight is- : sues to answer, and decided that the fatality was due to the negligence of Dr; ; Martin, that Douce could not , be blamed for having shown contributory negligence, and that- there had been no negligence on the- part,. of the deceased woman. The jury assessed the damages as stated above. It will be remembered that the accident was thjß subject of, a criminal charge at ..-.the Supreme Court at Hamilton, when the Grand Jury returned no bill.. | Mr. Hogben appeared ■ for deceased's j father, Mr. Nqrthcroft>f6r Dr. Martin, Mr. Richmond for' Mr. Douce. '-\';V