A SMASHED GIG.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 885, 11 December 1916, Page 5

A SMASHED GIG.

WATER SPRINKLER COLLISION. CLAIM AGAINST TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT. A • claim by George Scott (Mr Thomas) against the Post and Telegraph Department (Mr Raymond), for £lB for repairs to a gig, and for damages, occupied the attention of Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court to-day. George Scott said that on January 11 he hired out a horse and pig to an officer of the Post and Telegraph Department. About half an hour later th.; turn-out was returned, the gig being smashed. The official gave as the reason a collision with the sprinkler. He said that the horse had behaved splendidly. The horse was then- harnessed to another conveyance, and the department's official drove it to Governor's Bay. The animal was of a quiet disposition.

Dickson Kerr, an employee of the plaintiff, said that when the horse and trap were returned after the accident, the driver said that the horse was as quiet as a sheep, but the tramways water sprinkler had collided with the trap from behind, without giving any warning of its approach. To Mr Raymond: After the Governor's Bay trip, the driver expressed approval of the behaviour of the horse. Joseph Wm. Kayo and R. A. Bradbury, coach builders, also gave evidence. Arthur Floyd Collins, a previous owner of the animal, said the horse was a lady's hack, and could be trusted amongst traffic

_ Mr Raymond submitted that the accident was not caused by the negligence of the department's officers, and that the department was not therefore liable.

Isaac Samuel Newton, a telegraphic linesman, pave evidence regarding the hire of the gig. When driving down Antigua Street, a sprinkler approached. The mare stopped and shied, and then backed into the sprinkler, which had slowed down. The vehicle was on its correct side of the road. He told Scott that the accident was attributable to the action of the driver of the sprinkler, and that the horse was quiet ordinarily, but was shy of tram cars. On the journey to Governor's Bay the horse jibbed at the Hackthorne Road car. After further evidence had been hoard, judgment was given for defendants, with costs.