REV G. W. H. HARDING'S DEATH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20055, 18 September 1920, Page 9

REV G. W. H. HARDING'S DEATH.

INQUEST RESUMED. The inquiry into the. death of tho Rev G. W. H. Harding, of Prebbleton, who died in the Olmstchiirch Hospital from injuries received in a motoreyclo and motor-car accident on September 5, was continued to-day by Mr AJ'Carthy, S.M., District Ooroner*. Mr (,'. S. Thomas witched tho proceedings for the relatives of the deceased, and Mr IT. W. Johnston for Mr W. Hardie, driver of the motor-car. Senior-Ser-geant C- "\V. Kelly conducted tlio case for the police. Constable Smither said that he examined the road yesterday. The horse and cart track started 96 yards from tlio intersection. There were bad holes in tho load, which a man would naturally avoid. There was a good surface on tho road, but traffic had beerf going on the grass. Were he travelling on the road he would use tlio grass track to avoid the holes. Reginald Harry Hamilton, motoreyclo salesman, St Albans, said that lie had examined the road that morning. With a motor-cycle and empty side-car he went along the grass track at forty miles an hour. Mr Thomas: You are lucky to be hero after that. To Mr Thomas: If ho knew the road and was going about his usual duties, he would take tho road at about thirty to thirty-five miles ah hour. Wilfrid Stewart Godfrey, accountant, said that on tho day after the accident ho visited the scene, ajid took various measurements. Tho Coroner returned a verdict that death was due to shock, following injuries received in tho collision between the car and tho cycle-car. After reviewing tho evidence, Mr M'Carthy added:—Had each vehicle been under control as it reached tho intersection the accident would not havo happened. The practice of motorists on a crisis developing of keeping the motor moving in a certain direction on the bare assumption that approaching traffic will adopt a cert::in course siting in with that first mentioned, may bo fraught with danger. In cases of difficulty and doubt as a general rule .the safe course is to come to a standstill. I would suggest that, in order to deal effectively with the numerous motor accidents, resulting in damage to property or loss of life or pergonal injury, there be created a new offence, known as negligent motor driving, rendering offenders liable to a substantial penalty or imprisonment without the option of a line, such offencos to be dealt with by a special Court, consisting "of a Stipendiary Magistrate (who shall bo president)), and two expert motorists, one appointed by tho Crown, and the other by tho local Automobile Association. That from the decisions of such Courts appeal should lio to the Supreme Court in fact and law, but that offenders should not. havo tho right of trial by jury .