"A MENACE."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 154, 1 July 1936, Page 10

"A MENACE."

"HIT AND RUN" CASE PEDESTRIAN INJURED. ( . - * TRACED BY A BOY. TAXI-DRIVER DEALT WITH. Described by the police as an absolute menace who should not be allowed to drive a car, a taxi-driver, Erie Gordon Hunter, in the Police Court this morning, pleaded guilty to charges of negligent driving, failing to. stop after an accident, failing to report such accident to the police, and further, with procuring liquor during the currency of a prohibition order. Mr. Fawcett appeared for Hunter. Sub-Inspector Fox said that at 5.15 p.m. on June 2 Hunter drove his taxi along Newton Road and in turning to his right to enter Abbey Street, he cut the corner. His speed was estimated at 35 miles per hour as he turned the corner. "He had just got into Abbey Street when his car collided with a man named John Robert Petric and knocked him down, injuring him' seriously," said, the sub-inspector. "Mr. Petrie suffered a broken leg, a broken arm and abrasions and is still in hospital. Hunter did not stop. This is; a, particularly bad case ol! what is known as a 'hit-and-riln' driver. The matter was reported to the police and Detective Broivn interviewed one of the two eye-wjtnesses of the accident, a boy. The following day the detective drove this boy round tie city until the boy filially located the taxi which he had seen on the rank several times and he recognised as the one involved in the accident. It is to a groat extent due to this boy that we were able to trace the defendant. The same day Hunter was interviewed by Detective Brown, but he denied being concerned in any accident. Later, when the detective whs taking a statement from Hunter, the defendant said he'may as well be truthful and that he knew he had knocked a man down. Hunter also said he had become frightened and drove on." Police Evidence. "We have ample evidence to show that Hunter was in a state of intoxication prior to driving his taxi. There was another taxi-driver with him in the car. Both had been drinking at several hotels, and the other taxi-driver was well under the influence of liquor. Our inquiries also disclosed that on February 18 Hunter took out a prohibition order against himself. The whole of the "circumstances go to show that he should not have a driver's license at any time. Hunter is an absolute menace to have charge of any car, let alone a taxi. I understand the firm which employed him has since dismissed him. Whatever punishment your Worship inflicts upon thin man, I would ask that you will cancel his license. Prohibited Himself. Dealing first with Hunter's breach of his prohibition order, Mr. Fawcett pointed out that he had never been convicted of drunkenness. He took the order tout at the request .of his parents, and because he realised ho was not a person! who should take liquor. "However strange it may seem," said counsel, "the negligent driving was not the cause of the accident, which, was caused by another car parked on the left side of Abbey Street. Mr. Petrie walked out from behind this parked car. It was fairly dark at the time. Being afraid of the whole position, Hunter, unfortunately, drove on."

Counsel added that Hunter had five drinks that day, but had' not been driving his taxi since noon. That afternoon Hunter had been greatly worried about a claim concerning a collision in which his car had been previously involved, but when he was not driving it. The claim was later settled with no liability to Hunter. "Mental Unbalance." "This man should rot have a taxi license," continued Mr. Fawcett. "Some years, ago he suffered from what doctors described as "mental unbalance." I now produce two medical certificates—" Mr. McKean (after reading the medical certificates): These are very helpful, aren't they ? They concern something about his condition eight or nine years ago. Mr. Fawcett: Hunter was under the care of a doctor and an attendant until 1930. He was not committed. I do suggest this is a case of a man with distinct mental instability who should not have a license to drive. He has already suffered severely, for he has lost his position and has sold his car. He has not driven since the accident. I would ask your Worship to take into consideration that Hunter has been under great strain, that his act was a momentary one, and that he is not quite normal. I ask you to deal as mercifully as you can with Hunter. Fines and Costs Total £26. The magistrate fined Hunter £2 and costs 10/ for negligent driving and cancelled his license for five years. "Now, concerning the charge of failing to stop," said Mr. McKean. "Here's a man who knew he had seriously injured a pedestrian crossing the street. He simply drove on and when first interviewed he denied all knowledge of the matter. This is not a trivial matter. He will be fined £20, with costs 10/." Foi failing" to report the accident Hunter was fined £1 and costs 10/ and for procuring liquor while prohibited a further £1 and costs 10/.