COLLISION AT TE RAPA.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17711, 15 May 1929, Page 7

COLLISION AT TE RAPA.

COURT ACTION FOLLOWS. ONE OP. THE DRIVERS CHARGED. Charges of neglect and dangerous driving on the Hamilton-Ngaruawahia Road were preferred against George Fearn, electrician, Arapuni, in the Hamilton Magistrate’s Court, before Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M., this morning. On behalf of defendant, Mr W. J. King pleaded not guilty. Senior-Sergeant Sweeney said the proceedings arose out of a collision on a straight piece of road near Te Rapa. Mr P. Hunter, mine manager, of Glen Afton, wr.s driving to Hamilton from Auckland about 7.15 p.m. on March 28, when he noticed two cars approaching from the opposite direction. As Mr Hunter was about to pass the leading car defendant's car drove round in order to pass and a collision occurred on defendant's wrong side. The police held that defendant should not have attempted to pass under these circumstances. Hunter corroborated the statements of the police and testified that his car was extensively damaged. He noticed that the rear left wheel of defendant’s car had collapsed. The three cars were abreast at the time. Replying to Mr King, witness said he was travelling at less than 25 miles an hour as he approached the first car. At no time did he experience difficulty regarding visibility. Albert Phillip Brady, horse-trainer, Rapa, deposed that Hunter was on his correct side travelling at between 25 and 30 miles an hour. Defendant’s car appeared suddenly behind the other car coming from Hamilton. He’ then heard the crash. Constable Harris, under cross-ex-amination, said Fearn took very little interest in the case. The case was adjourned for a week.