WOMAN’S LOSS OF A LEG

Taranaki Daily News, 8 June 1932, Page 7

WOMAN’S LOSS OF A LEG

RAILWAY OFFICIALS’ STORY WPTF,r> TO CLIMB OUT OF CAR." L BAKE CLERK SHOWN DOCUMENTS. NOT MRS. JOHNSON'S” ’ Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. ■Further evidence lor the plaintiff was heard in the Supreme Court to-day in the «a«e in which Mrs. .Elizabeth Ivy Johnson is claiming £5OO from the Australasian Temperance and General Mutual Life Assurance Society and £260 from the Commercial Union Assurance Company. She alleges her husband, John Randolph' Johnson, after having deliberately caused her leg to be crushed by a train at the Ohau railway crossing, obtained by means of forgery certain moneys under two accident insurance policies held by her. Walter Schierning, railway district traffic manager, produced a report from the engine-driver, Janies T. A. Jamie■on, now deceased, describing how the ■train struck Johnson’s car on the crossing and stating that the car appeared to be undamaged, but a lady passenger “who tried to climb out of the car” had her left leg badly crushed. John Doig, guard on the train, deposed that after the accident he heard Mrs. Johnson ask her husband: “Why didn’t you let me out?" He was unable to say whether Johnson made a reply. Evidence was given by Detective T. iY, Hall, Wellington, as to making inquiries into th© alleged forgeries aspect of the case, and by Francis Gordon Feudal!, officer' of • th© 'Te Aro branch of the Bank of New Zealand, as- to Mrs. Johnson’s signature held by the bank. The latter said ho had been ■hown certain insurance documents, receipts and cheques. He was of opinion th© signature on them was not that of Mrs. Johnson. . , '

At the conclusion of plaintiff’s case the respective counsel for the insurance companies asked for a non-suit on the grounds, inter alia, that there was no liability as the occurrence was not an accident for in the cover, and that it was unsafe to accept plaintiff’s evidence that her husband was not authorised to receive the moneys paid. The hearing was adjourned till tomorrow.