INJURED BY TROLLEY HEAD

Taranaki Daily News, 15 January 1931, Page 9

INJURED BY TROLLEY HEAD

WELLINGTON TRAM ACCIDENT CLAIM AGAINST CORPORATION. FINDING FAVOURS THE CITY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. {Finding that negligence had not been proved Mr. J. S. Barton, S.M., in a reserved judgment delivered to-day disallowed a claim for damages against _ the Wellington City Council in a case arising out of injuries received by a woman when she was struck by a trolley head which fell from one of the corporation’s ramcars. The plaintiff, Margaret Robinson Kopert, and her sister were on the footpath in Willis Street, near the corner of Bonlcott Street. A tram-car having stopped in Manners Street just before the junction with Willis Street. w'as reached, resumed its journey, turning, the corner to go down Willis Street. While it was turning the trolley head left the overhead wire, became detached from the pole and fell or was thrown to the footpath, where it struck Mrs. Koppert, inflicting injuries on her. She claimed £163 4s 2d damages. The magistrate after reviewing the evidence of expert witnesses said it was clear that if the wheel on begriming detached was not pulled off the consequence might have been very, direful. The wire was carrying 500 volts and might have been pulled down with consequences one hardly liked to contemplate. The true position therefore was that the slipping of the trolley head from its pole and the subsequent breaking of the safety rope did not point to defective gear .and lack of due care and skill as necessary inferences, but seemed rather to illustrate the working of the series of safeguards designed to meet the contingency of the trolley wheel leaving its wire.

“I am further satisfied,” continued the magistrate, “that by the choice, lay-out and maintenance of its system the defendant corporation has fully met the required standard of efficiency and safety, and in particular that the overhead system at this point was in first-class order.”