THE RULE OF THE ROAD.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 149, 27 June 1898, Page 8

THE RULE OF THE ROAD.

* A CYCLIST'S GRIEVANCE. At the Police Court to-day Dr F. M. Purchas brought a charge of assault against George Mcßae, a farmer, alleging that the latter struck him with a whip. Mr Brooldield appeared for the prosecution, and Dr. Laishjey for the defendant, who pleaded not guilty, and laid a counter charge against Dr. Purchas of passing a carriage while cycling without keeping to the right. Dr. Purchas stated that he was riding his bicycle down Khyber Pass Road on the left hand, side, when AfcCrae drove up behind, overtook him, and thcTi jammed him into the gutter. Afterwards the cyclist overtook the buggy again, but when he tried to, pass in front of it to turn into a side street, the defendant, he said, urged on his horse until witness was in danger of being run over. The horse was driven to within two feet of the bicycle, and witness had to push the horse away with his hand. He got clear, but the defendant stood up in the cart and gave him a cut across the shoulder with the whip. Another blow was aimed?' but this fell short. Dr. Laishley said the evidence for the defence would show that no assault had been committed, and that Dr. Purchas had been the aggressor. The defendant McCrae said that the cyclist only passed him once, and that was on the left hand side. As he passed, he struck the horse on the nostril with his right hand. Witness never struck him at all with the whip. 'I couldn't get near him if I had wanted to,' said he. _ Cross-examined, McCrae said he believed the doctor struck the liorsc 'for devilment,' 'I believe he done it,' said the witness, 'and he ought to be up for cruelty to animals.' _ Air Brookfield: Do you. ask us to believe that a bicycle, rider came past, you at a good pace, struck your horse, a blow without any reason, and then made off?—l do that. The case was proceeding when we went to press.