DUTY TO PUBLIC

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 126, 1 June 1927, Page 10

DUTY TO PUBLIC

NEGLIGENT DRIVER FINED

A sequel to an accident in Hataitai recently when a motor-car ran into a group of people alighting froih a "tram car and injured a young girl," was heard• in the Magistrate'^ Court yesterday afternoon; the driver of the car, Charles O'Leary, being charged with driving "in a dangerous manner and with driving without a license. The defendant's story was that the car got out of control owing to. defectve brakes. After hearing the evidence for the prosecution, Mr. 1 J. H. Salmon, S.M., remarked: "The matter of the renewal of drivers' licenses annually is of great importance. If a person' does not renew his license after 31st March each year he is unlicensed and has not the right to drive." ._..._., . "But I have good references," said the defendant. -.....',. "I dai-esay you have," replied-the Magistrate, "but you were nevertheless unlicensed when you ran: into these people. The circumstances 'of this case disclose gross negligence, and I-would be; lacking in my duty to the public, if I did not impose substantial penalties.". On the first charge, O'Leary was fined £5 and on the second charge he was fined £2.