COURT IN THE ACT

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30578, 22 October 1964, Page 1

COURT IN THE ACT

(N.Z. Press Association) OAMARU, Oct. 21. Two weeks ago a dental student Michael Molloy appeared before Mr J. D. Murray, S.M., at Oamaru, on a charge of dangerous driving. Molloy was then said to have driven at speeds of up to 80 miles-an-hour on the road between Oamaru and Dunedin. The Magistrate reserved his decision. Delivering it today, he said:— “Incidentally, it was rather indiscreet of the defendant in that on the way back to Dunedin after appearing before me he passed me on the outskirts of Palmerston at a speed which may

have been acceptable on a grand prix circuit but was utterly stupid on an ordinary highway.” Molloy was fined £l2 10s. At the hearing Traffic Officer J. Mclvor said he had followed Molloy for some 16 miles south of Maheno at speeds of up to 80 miles an hour, but had finally checked him at 68 miles an hour. Molloy had overtaken several groups of cars, including two on a lefthand bend and two on a no-pass line, regaining his correct side 160 ft along the line. The Magistrate said he had reserved decision earlier to enable him “to

make further observations as I travelled back to Dunedin that night” on visibility of the roadway as It wound up a hill after, a left-hand bend. He said he followed a petrol tanker and he had allowed this vehicle to go ahead while he stopped to see how much of the vehicle was visible as it went up the hill. “It was totally obscured by banks and I can only conclude that the evidence given by the defendant and his witnesses (that they had checked visibility on the bend and could see 150 to 200 yards) on this point was calculated to mislead the Court.”