TAXI STRIKES POLE FOUR OTHERS INJURED EARLY MORNING ACCIDENT A soldier from Papakura mobilisation camp was killed and three other soldiers and the driver of a taxi were injured when the vehicle crashed into a power pole on the Great South Road near the Harp of Erin shortly before 5 a.m. yesterday. The victims were: — Killed, Private William Patrick Coneglan, single, aged 23, next-of-kin, mother, residing at Pihama, Taranaki. Injured Private Leslie Walsh, aged 32, fractured jaw and lacerations; nexfc-of-kin, Mr. W. Walsh, Portland cement works, Whangarei (father). Private Thomas Gibson, aged 22, cuts and shock; next-of-kin, Mr. H. B. Gibson, P.O. Box 5, Eltham, Taranaki (father); condition serious. Private Frank Victor Clements, aged 26, lacerations and shock; next-of-kin, Mr. F. W. Clements, Main South Road, Opunaki, Taranaki (father); condition not serious. Mr. Edward Rivett, married, aged 28, taxidriver, of 63 Rawhiti Road, Onehunga; cuts on face and shock; condition not serious.

The taxi was proceeding toward Papakura camp and at the intersection of the Great South Road and the Ellerslie highway it crashed into the pole. The violence of the impact completely dislodged the pole and the car was overturned and damaged extensively. The injured men were assisted from the wreckage, by Mr. R. Jackson, a milkman. Private Coneglan, who was seated behind the driver, was found to be dead.

The driver and the three passengers were taken to the Auckland Hospital. An inquest into the death of Private Coneglan was opened by the city coroner, Mr. P. K. Hunt, yesterday afternoon and adjourned.

NEW ZEALAND HERALD, VOLUME 78, ISSUE 24156, 24 DECEMBER 1941, PAGE 6