NEGLIGENCE CHARGE

Wairarapa Daily Times, 15 January 1932, Page 5

NEGLIGENCE CHARGE

DEATH OF MRS. GROSE. CASE AGAINST CAR DRIVER. Thg adjourned hearing of the charge preferreif against Robert George Coulston, slaughterman, Waingawa, that he did negligently drive a motor car on the Masterton-Carterton highway on the afternoon of August 22, 1931, thereby causing the death of Emma Giace Grose was commenced in the Magistrate’s Court this morning before Mr J. Miller, S.M. The charge is a sequel to a collision between cars driven by the accused and William John Grose, and which resulted in the wife of the latter being killed and six others injured more or less seriously. Sergt. T. 11. Dyer is conducting the prosecution and Coulston, who is represented by counsel, is pleading not guilty to the charge of negligence. Sergt. Dyer said evidence would be adduced that Grose was driving on the correct side of the road. Grose, he said, saw two cars coming towards him when approaching the side road leading to the Waingawa Works. After passing the second car Grose was suddenly confronted with the lights of a car and next minute a collision occurred m which the cars were wrecked, Mrs Grose killed and several others injured. "The road, Your Worship, where the accident occurred is perfectly safe and there was no reason why the accident should have taken place,” said Sergt. Dyer before calling on his first w itness, William John Grose, dental technician, and the driver of one of the cars concerned in the collisioil. The witness gave evidence on the lines given at the inquest into the death of Mrs Grose. He reaffirmed that he was well on the correct side of the road.

Defendant’s counsel to witness. "Can you remember making any endeavour to avoid the lights?” "I had no time to avoid anything,” replied witness. "Is it a habit of yours to drive partly on the bitumen and partly on the road at the side as stated by Mr Unswortli at the inquest?” Witness: "Certainly not.”

Witness was absolutely certain that he made no deflection to the right as he passed the signpost at the side of the culvert. He did not see any other vehicle trying to pass another at this spot. Ho did not remember seeing any parking lignts. The lights of the car which collided with him were exceptionally bright. There was no necessity, as far as lie was aware, for any car to suing across the road. Witness did not- consider that, at the time, there was any occasion for bright headlights. To further questioning by defendant’s couifsel witness said that some months before a wheel of another ear he had collapsed. He had not made a claim on an insurance company as he had neglected to insure the car. With the exception of a dented mudguard he could not remember having any other accident with a car. Witness said he did not remembei making a statement at the hospital to Mr Jordan. If he did make a statement the meaning he wished te convey was that he was naturally pleased he was not to blame for the accident. At the time he was not in a fit state to make a statement. Henry John Unsworth, chemist s assistant, was the next witness and his evidence followed the lines of that given by him at the inquest. Cross-examined witness said he had had a fair opportunity to judge the speed of the other car. His attention was not directed to a red car prior to the lights going on. The lights appeared to disappear suddenly. Asked what he said to a man named Bernie, witness said he remembered saying that it would remain for the Court to say whether the collision was an accident or not. He had no recollection of saying at the scene of the accident that he saw nothing until the crash came. Mr Grose, he said, did not deflect either to the right or left, but kept straight on his course. Witness was questioned regarding the position of Coulston’s car. After the luncheon adjournment the Court resumed and the hearing vi as still proceeding at the time of going to press.