STRATFORD DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1928, Page 10

STRATFORD DISTRICT NEWS

Telephone No*. 552 Office 718 Private

Telephone Noe, 552 Office 718 Private

(FROM OUR RESIDENT REPORTERS}

MOTOR-CYCLIST’S DEATH. MAI HINE SKIDS ON CORNER. Verdict at the inquest. That deceased met his death through his motor-cycle accidentally skidding in rounding a corner on tha Mountain Road near Eltham, the cause of death being coma induced by a fractured skull, was the verdict arrived at by the acting coroner (Mr. W, L. Kennedy) at an inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of Claude Frederick Tuck, of Toko. The accident happened about 8.10 a.m last Saturday morning near the corner where a service car driver named Milne was killed more than a year ago. Constable Townsend conducted the inquiry, which was held in Stratford. Formal identification was given by Charles Frederick Tuck, a contractor, of Toko, father of deceased, who described his son as being 23 years of age, an employee of the Eltliam Drainage Board. Witness said his son returned to Toko each evening, riding to and from his work on a motor-cycle. Deceased was in good health, except that he was suffering from a strained right wrist. Doctor D. H. Saunders, who saw deceased shortly after the accident while being conveyed to Eltham in a lorry, said the young man was then in a dying condition. At witness’ direction the injured man was taken direct to a private hospital, but he was dead on arrival, death having taken place about 8.20 a.m. Witness gave details of the injuries, giving the cause of death as due to coma following on cerebral oompression resulting from a fracture at the base of the skull. All the injuries were consistent with a heavy fall from a motor-cycle. In company witli the police, witness examined the scene of the accident and saw the skid marks of the machine, at the end of which Was o small pool of blood. The skid marks were on the left, or correct, side of the road. EVIDENCE OF COMPANION. Alfred Kingan, a labourer of Toko and a companion of deceased at the time of the accident, said he rode with Tuck from Toko to Eltham. Deceased was riding a Harley-Davidson and wit-

ness a U.S.A, machine. Near Ngaere they were overtaken by George Schneider, a motor-cycle mechanic of Eltham, also riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, and the three proceeded on together. When approaching the bend which proved fatal to Tuck, the motor cycles were travelling at a speed of from 35 to 40 miles per hour, deceased leading, Schneider being next and witness last. Deceased took the bend on his correct side, but went too far over, with the result that the tyres skidded on the gravel and the machine fell over on its right ride. Tuck appeared momentarily to right the motor-cycle, but it finally turned completely over and deceased was thrown on his head. Witness and Schneider found Tuck unconscious and badly injured. Schneider hastened for a doctor, but in the meantime a light lorry camo along and the injured man was placed as. comfortably as possible therein. There was no other traffic on the road at the time of the accident and witness considered the speed at which they' were travelling to be quite safe. Constable Townsend: So that you consider 40 minutes in which to travel from Toko almost to Eltham a reasonable time? —Yes. George Schneider and Constable Townsend also gave evidence corroborating that already given. The constable said the motor-cycle first skidded for about five yards before tipping over, then apparently travelled a further 26 yards, the marks showing that the foot rest and a part of the machine were dragging on the ground. Subsequently witness examined the motor-cycle and noticed the damage was all on the right hand side or the front. From what he gathered at the scene of the accident witness considered deceased’s death was a pure accident. The verdict as already stated was then given. LOST SOLDIER RETURNS. MR. McQUAY IN STRATFORD. Mr. George Thomas McQuay, the missing soldier whose case has been given great prominence throughout New Zealand, after II years’ absence, returned to Stratford by the mail train last night. Air. McQuay and liis mother were I greeted at the station by a large num-

ber of friends, the ex-soldier recognising many of his old acquaintances. When the train stopped at Eltham ho was met by many friends, all of whom Mr. McQuay had no difficulty in recognising. Mr. Ale-Quay’s health has improved remarkably since, his arrival in New Zealand, and if it continues to improve as during the past few weeks it is quite possible that he will be able to remain in Stratford. Otherwise he may’ have to return to the hospital after a month or two at home. GENERAL ITEMS. Complete arrangements have been made for the visit of the Governor-Gen-eral and Lady Alice Fergusson to-mor-row. The party are scheduled to arrive in Stratford at 12.30 p.m., and, having had luncheon, at S. Mary’s School at 1 p.m., they will be publicly welcomed nt the Town Hall by the Mayor (Mr, J. W. McMillan). There they will meet representatives of public bodies, primary and convent school children, teachers and parents. Their Excellencies will then visit the Technical High School to meet pupils and teachers. The programme will be finalised with a visit to the public hospital. Business people are asked to fly bunting. There was a fair attendance of members at a special meeting of the Stratford Poultry Club last night, Air. A. J. Davey presiding. The main business of the meeting was to consider the incorporation of the club into the “Stratford Poultry and Winter Show Association, Inc.” After some discussion it was resolved to incorporate, and 45 rules as drafted were adopted. “SINGED.” “Singed,” which will show to-night at the King’s Theatre, is a dynamic tale of a woman who sacrifices everything for the man she loves. He, In turn, vain, selfish, ambitious for what the world terms “success,” leads her through a mental Gethsemane before he comes to his senses and the marriage altar. It is adopted from the story by Adela Rogers St. Johns and is a powerful and heart-stirring drama of primitive passions with suddenly-acquired wealth derived from an oil-well gusher, the “'menace.”