A FARMER'S DEATH.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 March 1916, Page 6

A FARMER'S DEATH.

KILLED BY HIS MOTOR-CAR. An inquest concerning the death of 31r. Thomas Cluunney, a well-known farmer of Tarata, who was found dead underneath his motor-car at the corner of the Dudley and Junction road? early on Thursday morning, was held by Mr. A. Crooks, S.M. (Coroner) at Inglewood yesterday. Ralph James Swann, a partner of the deceased's, said Mr. Chamney left home about eleven o'clock on Wednesday morning to attend a sale at Inglewood, and witness did not see him alive again. Dr. T. B. Whitton. of Inglewood, said he was driving to Ratapiko about 4 a.m. on Thursday. When about a mile out of Inglewood his attention was directed to an overturned motor-car, and on going to it lie found Mr. Chamney lying dead under the car. An examination of the body showed that death had been instantaneous, and Mr. Chamney died from suffocation and failure of the heart. William George Ladbrook, who was with Dr. Whitton, gave corroborative evidence as to finding the body. He said there was rather a nasty turn to the left in the roac], where the accident took place, and there was a drop on the right-hand side of the road of about three feet. From the tracks On the road witness did not think the deceased could have been travelling very fast, but lie had made a zig-zag course for about four or five chains. This might be accounted for by tlu- deceased having only one band on the wheel while paying attention to the lights. On reaching a corner of the road t'lie deceased had taken too wide a sweep, and two wheels had gone over the drop. One of the front tyres had burst and was torn oft' the wheel, and this would cause the car to overturn. The deceased was a very careful motor-car driver. The accident might have been caused by the deceased steering with one hand. William Hogg, a stock buyer, stated that lie was in the deceased's company on Wednesday night. lie left the deceased outside the Inglewood Club about 10.15 p.m., and at that time the deceased was not at all under the influence of " liquor. Mr. Chamney was a very temperate man. George Gudgeon, cycle dealer, ef Inglewood, said he was with the deceased at the Inglewood Club until they left at midnight. After talking outside for about three quarters of an hour the deceased drove away in his car, and he was absolutely sober. Witness remarked that the ear's lights were not too gaod, but the deceased said thev would pick up a bit later. Witness' was of opinion that the lights must have gone out, otherwise the deceased could not have missed the corner. After ■hearing further evidence the Coroner returned a verdict of accidental death.