PASSING A TRAM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 171, 22 July 1935, Page 8

PASSING A TRAM.

CAR HITS WOMAN.

INTOXICATED DRIVER FINED £20. MAGISTRATE'S WARNING. "There are so many cases of negligent driving, and offences such as these, that I am afraid I will have to consider imposing more substantial penalties," said Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., in the Police Court this morning, when dealing with a man who had pleaded guilty to a charge of being in a etate of intoxication while driving his motor car in Broadway, Newmarkot, o" July 6. The offender was John Francis O'Grady, aged 45, a boot finisher. O'Grady, for whom Mr. J. J. Sullivan appeared, pleaded guilty to this and another charge of driving without a license. Sub-Inspector Fox said that at 6.15 p.m. on July 0 a Remuera tram stopped in Broadway, Newmarket. The car, driven by O'Grady, came from the rear of the tram, passed the tram and knocked a woman down, breaking her leg. It continued for a distance of 47 feet and collided with the rear of a stationary taxi. The speed of O'Grady's car was not excessive, eye witnesses estimating it at 15 miles per hour. After his car hit the taxi O'Grady got out. "Although at least two people considered that O'Grady was steady on his feet, a tramway official and a constable both thought he was intoxicated," added Mr. Fox. "At 6.56 p.m. Dr. C. H. Tewsley examined'O'Grady and certified that he smelt strongly of liquor, that Iris equilibrium was faulty, and that he was definitely under the influence of alcohol. O'Grady has never been in any trouble before, but a prohibition order which was against him expired a fe.v weeks ago. The car is owned by his wife. O'Grady had no license to drive." Plea in Defence. "The two drinks O'Grady had before the accident must have boen fairly powerful," said Mr. Sullivan. O'Grady, he said, was honestly under the impression that the tram had not stopped. Being upset when lip realised that he had struck a woman, he swung round and hit the taxi. He had been driving cars for seven years and had never been involved in an accident. Mr. Sullivan added that he could have brought several witnesses to state that O'Orady was not intoxicated, but in view of the doctor's certificate ho had decided to plead guilty. O'Grady would have to pay compensation to the woman who was injured. He was a respectable, hard-working man. "Apparently he is fond of drink, as he was prohibited until a few weeks ago." said Mr. McKean. O'Grady was fined £"20. an'd the magistrate directed that no license should be issued to him for 12 months. He was convicted and ordered to pay 10/ costs for driving without a lieonso. Two weeks were allowed in which to pay.