Royden Stuart RIDGWAY [14808]

  General Notes:

1884 SA Birth RIDGWAY Royden Stuart, John RIDGWAY, Jane OLDROYD, Frome327/462

Reside: Melbourne, Australia

RIDGWAY Royden Stuart VIC Death, RIDGWAY John, Jemima Jane (Unknown) Reg. year 1952 Reg. no 10662.

The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Fri 5 Sep 1952 Page 7
TRAM STOP DEATHS
Coroner says car driver was careless
Á POLICE motor mechanic said in the Coroner's Court yesterday that a car which had knocked down and killed two people in the city on the night of July 30 was not safe to drive.
He was giving evidence at an inquiry into the deaths of Miss Lesley Patricia Pearse, 26, and Mr. Royden Stuart Ridgway, 68.
Miss Pearse was secretary to the chief of staff of "The Argus" and Mr. Ridgway was "Chiron," of "The Argus" racing staff.
The coroner found that tiley were killed through the negligence of Alexander Provan Barr. 29, of Allison rd., Elsternwick, driver of the car.
He described as "reprehensible" Barr's conduct in having not stopped after the accident.
Sergeant Forbes, assisting the coroner, said Barr would be charged with negligent driving and with failing to stop and render aid after an accident.
He added that he would recommend that the registration of Barr's car should be cancelled, because of its poor condition.
Mr. Burke, in his finding, said he was pleased Barr would be charged with negligent driving.
Most people wrongly believed that the white lines marking the boundary of a zone represented a permanent pedestrian refuge, he said.
"Nevertheless, a motorist should take care when people are standing on the road," he added.
"The motorist in this case did not take care."


Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954) Fri 5 Sep 1952 Page 7
Car Driven On After Hitting 2
MELBOURNE, Thursday. The Corner (Mr. Burke) was told today that a car driver got into a "'blind panic," and drove on after his car had fatally injured two members of the "Argus" staff on July 30.
Mr. Burke said the driver, Alexander Barr 29, of Allison-road, Elsternwick, should be charged because of his reprehensible conduct in failing tb stop. Because of Barr's negligence two people had died.
Mr. Burke found that Lesley Pearce, 24, secretary to the Chief of Staff of the "Argus," and Royden Stuart Ridgway, 68, "Chiron" of the Argus" turf staff, died from injuries received when they were knocked down in Elizabeth street, opposite the "Argus" office.
Open Zone
In his finding, Mr. Burke said that Miss Pearce and Ridgway had been standing in a safety zone from which the standards had been removed. Many people thought the marks on the road made a zone safe, even after the standards were removed, but this was not so. Nevertheless. when people were standing in the zones motorists had a duty to be careful.
Sergeant Forbes (assisting the Coroner) said ,Barr would be charged with having failed to stop and give aid after an accident. and with negligent driving. Cancellation of the car's registration also would be recommended, because of the condition of the car.


The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954) Thu 16 Sep 1954 Page 11
SUPREME
. . .
Civil Sittings Before Mr. Justice Abbott Estate Questions Settled
By consent, his Honor dismissed a claim by Mil dred Cheetham Ridgway, 68, widow, of Barnard street, North Adelaide, against Executor Trustee and Aeency Co. Ltd, of Adelaide, for £3,451 10/, alleged to be arrears since about 1934 of maintenance due under a 1926 separation deed.
Sued as executor of her husband, Royden Stuart Ridgway, of Hawthorn, Victoria, who died on August 1, 1952. the company had denied that Mrs. Ridgway was entitled under the agreement since about 1934.
Mr. R. P. Newman, with Mr. A. J. L. Sutherland, for Mrs. Ridgway: Mr. A. L. Pickering. QC with Mr. T. H. McFarlane. for the company.
In a separate action, Mrs. Ridgway claimed, under the Testator's Family Maintenance Act, provision from her husband's £13,488 estate, none having been made for her in his will.
In this action the company, two brothers and three sisters of the testator, and Bernice Blanch, of Hawthorn, Victoria a stranger in blood, were defendants.
In an affidavit Mrs. Ridgway set out that she and the testator were married in 1908. They separated in 1926 under the deed of separation, caused mainly through his association with other women, particularly Bernice Blanch.
In this case Mr Newman appeared with Mr. Sutherland for Mrs. Ridgway: Mr. Pickering with Mr. R. F. Mohr for Miss Blanch: Mr. J. H. Bagot for the brothers and sisters: and Mr. McFarlane for the company
When the proceedings were part heard, counsel intimated that a settlement had been reached. His Honor then gave judgment for the company on the first claim by consent, and, by consent, on the second claim, awarded Mrs. Ridgway £750. He directed that 26/45 of that sum be borne by Miss Blanch, and 19/45 by the brothers and sisters.
His Honor congratulated the parties and counsel on settling.
. . . .


The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954) Fri 14 Nov 1952 Page 3
Motorists Told Not to Panic in Accident
Motorists involved in an accident must control any tendency toward panic.
Mr. Jackson, S.M., asserted this in the Third City Court yesterday. Mr. Jackson was sentencing Alexander Provan Barr, 29, of Allison-road. Elsternwick to two months' imprisonment for falling to stop after an accident; Barr was also fined £20 for negligent driving and £5 for failing to have both headlights in working order.
Kenneth Thomas, of McCombie-street. Elsternwick, said he was in Latrobe- street. near Elizabeth-street, at 6.20 p.m. on July 30 when he heard a bump in Elizabeth-street.
A sedan car crossed the intersect on and what looked like a bundle of rags or paper fell from the car. The traffic lights were not working and rain was falling steadily.
The car continued on and witness saw a man and woman lying on the ground.
Brian Rodrcquenz. ticket writer, of Fern Tree Gully said he saw the car swing into the middle of the road straighten up and drive on. The nearside headlight was out.
[Lesley Patricia Pearse 24, of Hartwood-street, East Kew, and Royden Stuart Ridgway, 68, of Illawarra road, Hawthorn, were struck by the car. Miss Pearse was killed instantly and Mr. Ridgway died at Royal Melbourne, Hospital. Both were employes of the "Argus" newspaper.]
"Panicked"
Senior Detective N. Wilby told the court that on July 31 Barr informed him that a solicitor had advised, him to go to the police. Barr told him that he saw some people in front of him near the intersection but the tyres would not hold the road when he braked.
He knew he struck someone, but panicked and drove on. He did not know he had killed anyone until next day.
His wife, Isabella Barr, gave evidence that her hus band wanted to report the accident on July 30. but she would not let him as he was too shocked.
William Richard Thomas, of Frederick-street, Caulfield. chairman of the Victoria Amateur Soccer Association, said Barr captained the Victorian soccer team which toured New Zealand recently. He was now a nervous wreck.
Mr. Jackson said there was grave negligence in Barr's driving with smooth tyres and loose steering: If the car had been in good condition the accident might not have happened.
Notice was given of appeal and bail of £30 with a similar surety was allowed.

  Research Notes:

Royden married Mildred Cheetham HOCKING [14773] [MRIN: 5449], daughter of Martin Charles HOCKING [14768] and Amy Bowyer MILDRED [14769], on 2 Apr 1908 in Christ Church, North Adelaide, South Australia. (Mildred Cheetham HOCKING [14773] was born on 22 Apr 1886 in North Adelaide, South Australia, died on 13 Oct 1962 in North Adelaide, South Australia and was cremated on 15 Oct 1962 in Centennial Park Cemetery, Adelaide, South Australia.)

  Marriage Notes:

1908 235/5 SA Marriage RIDGWAY Royden Stuart, HOCKING Mildred Cheetham, Adelaide