MAYOR AS WITNESS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 103, 25 January 1939, Page 12

MAYOR AS WITNESS

Incident On Highway Near

Pahautanui

MOTORIST FINED FOR DANGEROUS DRIVING

The Mayor of Wellington was the principal witness in a traffic case in the Magistrates’ Court, Wellington, yesterday before Mr. J. Logan Stout, S.M. Defendant was Andrew Albert Taylor, Wanganui, who wrote to the Court explaining his non-appearance to answer a charge of driving a motor-car on the main highway near Pahautanui on December 17, in'a manner which, having regard to all the circumstances, might be dangerous to the public. In evidence, Thomas Charles Atkinson Hislop said that, accompanied by his wife, he was driving northward along the main highway a little past Pahautanui. Approaching a practically" right-angle turn a little south of the narrow portion of the Horokiwi Valley, he saw three cars coming toward him, travelling south. When fairly close to the corner, he noticed the third car, travelling fast, pass the other two and take the lead. To do so, the driver bad to go well over on bis incorrect side of the road. Wondering what was about to happen, witness slowed down. The motorist skidded very badly on the corner, but straightened up and continued on his way. Witness estimated Taylor's speed approaching' the corner at between 40 and 50 miles an hour. He said he managed to obtain his nuiqber and, at Paekakariki, reported the occurrence to the police. . Constable Childs produced a statement. from defendant admitting having driven tire car--a rental car hired in Wanganui. Defendant said he had been travelling at 25 miles an hour. The magistrate imposed a fine of £3, with costs 18/-.