MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 126, 13 March 1950, Page 4

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

LIQUOR AND TRAFFIC CASES * SEVERAL DEFENDANTS FINED Tlie Magistrate's Court sat at Ashburton this morning.) Mr E. A. Lee, S.M., was on the bench. < George Childs, Vincent James Crequer, Edwin Urquhart Cuckow, Harold Curtis, Kenneth Malcolm Doig, Robert John Kenny, Gordon Moore, George Sedgwick, Patrick Joseph Tighe, and Hector Archie Wilson, were charged that they were found on February 26 on premises at 159 Wills Street, the premises at the time being used as a place of resort for the consumption of intoxicating liquor. None of the defendants appeared. Police evidence was given to the effect that the 12 men named were on the premises of Mr N. Stephens, at* ; tUo.,, address named, and engaged in the drinking of intoxicating liquor bought-from Stephens. Each defendant was convicted and fined £2 and costs.

Traffic Offences

Rona Constanbe Beckley was charged with attempting to cross a railway crossing at Moore Street when a train was, approaching. The charge arose out of an accident at the crossing, in which a new car, the property of Mr R. A. Burnett, and driven by defendant, was run into by an excursion train travelling south to Timaru on Sunday, February 5.

Mr V. W. Russell submitte/1 that the car approached the crossing when the train was still a long way from it, and on being slowed down stalled on the line. Miss Beckley was unable t o start the car again, and Mr Burnett was able only to start the engine but not to engage the reverse gear. Counsel submitted that it was not an ordin ary case of trying to beat* a train to a crossing.

A conviction with costs 10s, was entered.

Kathleen Maud Stevens was charged with attempting to cross a railway crossing at Buccleugh on February 2, where there Avas a risk of collision with a railway engine. As a result of the collision which occurred the defendant had suffered injury, and spent a week in hospital.

A fine of £2 and 10s costs was im posed. On a further charge of having no current licence, which was admitted, defendant was fined 10s and costs. The Transport Department proceeded against George Albert Vincent, for operating a- trailer which had no current licence and no warrant of fitness Defendant was fined 20s and costs on the first charge and 10s and costs on the ’’second. Other cases were: —

James Alexander Donaldson, exceeding 30s miles an hour at Tinwald —fined £2 10s and 12s costs. Elizabeth May Kane, no foot brake on car —2s and costs (12s). Richard Harlow Kerr, exceeding 50 miles an hour at Dromore, £2 and costs (10). Vernon McPherson, no current warrant of fitness for motor-cycle 10s and costs. 10s. , Alfred' Bernard Natuscli, driving a motor vehicle at a speed exceeding 50 miles an hour, £4 and costs 12s. "" William 'Thomas Parish, no driver’s licence for his motor-cycle, 10s and costs.

Jack Paterson, driving a heavy traffic .vehicle at more than 30 miles an hour, £2 and costs 10s. \ Robert Robinson, driving without due care and .attention, by which, according to the Traffic Officer, a serious accident was narrowly £4 and costs, 1

Eva Margaret Young, no current warrant of fitness, 10s and costs.

Acclimatisation Law

The Ashburton Acclimatisation Sosiety proceeded 'against John Murray Clark, on an allegation that on February 19 he fished for salmon in the Rangitata River, without holding a licence for such fishing.

Mi* L. Colville gave evidence of interviewing the defendant who admitted he was fishing for salmon and had no licence. ' Defendant was convicted and fined £2 with costs 10s.