Motor Collision

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 29, 1 June 1923, Page 5

Motor Collision

SEQUEL IN THE COURT. l \jt the New Plymouth Magistrate's Court on Thursday, arising out of a motor collision, John Dring, career, Waitara, claimed £l7 10s from Thomas Hamilton, Government milk tester. The plaintiff and his family were motoring to the Stratford races on New Year's Day, when a puncture developed and the car was stopped on the loft hand side of the road on a perfectly level stretch. While engaged effecting, repairs, defendant's car ran into the stationary car, owing, it was claimed, to negligent driving. Plantiff's best suit was damaged and ho himself was away from, work for 17 days, though, as he was a member of a lodge, no medical expanses were claimed. Plaintiff's wife, who was Slitting in tUe car, was hurled out on to the road, suffering shock and minor injuries. 'Tho sum of .£-17 10s' was claimed, £l3 of which had been actually expended to effect repairs, £1 10s had lljen paid as wages, whiist tho balance of £3O included depreciation of tho car. Tho occurrence took place a little on tho Stratford side of tlije W.'iipuku toh-gate. Plaintiff, in evidence, said defendant bad attributed tke accident to a defective steering-wluel. The defenoa submitted ;.hr\t plaiu-tiftVm-Laom for £3O genera! damages wajJHwcftssivo. Dealing with the facts of the ease, it was contended that plaintiff's car was drawn up almost on tho middle of tho road, and, in order ro give an ainpie clearance, it was rfooossary to go off the asphalt. In doing so defendant's or was twisted inwards towards plaintiff's car owing to some defect. Defendant's ear was, in fact, more seriously damaged' *han plaintiff's. Tho magistrate held that the defendant's ear was in. the wrong and gavo judgment for plaintiff for the sum of £45 (costs £6 19s).