POLICE COURT

Evening Star, Issue 18931, 4 May 1925, Page 6

POLICE COURT

Monday, May 4. (Before Mr IT. W. Bundle, S.M.) ONE FOGGY NIGHT. Edgar Reeve Walt was charged with having negligently driven a. motor car ii> Prince Albert road on April 7 last. Ho was further charged with having failed to render assistance and to report tho accident to ilie police. Mr 0. J. L. While, who appeared for tho defendant, pleaded guilty to the first charge, adding that lie understood tins police would withdraw the second. Sergeant M’Kntee said that in consideration of the conduct of the defendant since tho accident tho police had decided, with the approval of the court, to withdraw tho second charge. Watt had done all ho could to assist tho police and tho injured persons, and had paid all expenses. Tho tacts of the case were that on th* night of April 7 two women—a Miss M‘"Keller and a Mrs Thompson—hud alighted from the tramcar at Market street, St. K.ilda, and had got halfway to tho footpath when they were knocked down by a motor car which had come round on its wrong side. The car went on without stopping. Mr White said that the night in question was a dark and toggy one. A woman had emerged from tho fog, and in swerving to avoid her defendant had apparently struck the ottier two women, though" they were not sure at the time. Drawing up 50yds further on, one of the occupants had gone back along the road, but had failed to find any evidence of an accident. Subsequently dcfendant'had found out about the accident and had done all he could to make amends. Owing to the fact that the car did not belong to defendant, he had to bear all tho expenses. Tho Magistrate said that tho court could not always consider the circumstance that a defendant in a case of negligent driving had been put to a lot of expense. In the present case, however, the court might perhaps be influenced by the conduct of Ihe defendant. It was peculiar, however, that a car should have run into two people and the driver not realise it. He should have gone back further to find out whether anyone was hurt. It was fairly dear that tho car must have been out of control. Fined 40s, with costs (7s). A VIOLENT DRUNK. Alfred Thomas Brown pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly conduct while drunk, and resisting Constable M’Robio. Sergeant M’Enlee said that at 6.50 p.m. on Saturday Constable M'Robic saw accused and another man struggling in Cargill road. He went across and tried to get tho man away, but he became troublesome, lying on the tram lino and kicking violently. On being .arrested he continued to kick and to struggle, and Constable Gibson had to assist. A motorist camo along, and the man was, still with difficulty, taken to the police station. Constable M’Robio said tho man was mad drunk. On the first charge accused was convicted and discharged, while in the second charge he was- fined £5, in default seven days’ imprisonment. ORDINARY INEBRIATES. Thomas Farrell, who had two previous convictions to his debit within tho past six months, was charged with drunken-ness.-—Defendant raid he had work to go to in the country, and would get out of town immediately.—Tho Magistrate remarked that Farrell had told the same tale the last time he was up, mid .Sergeant M’Enteo added that the police had great difficulty in tracing tho man whenever he was given time to pay.—Defendant was sentenced to seven days’ imprisonment. John Hussey was convicted and' discharged. Michael Hcrliky, who was found drunk in Princes street yesterday afternoon, slated that ho worked in an hotel. Tho Magistrate said that defendant would have to take out a prohibition order, as it was evident that Ins occupation did- not agree with him. The defendant was convicted and discharged on condition that ho took out a prohibition order against -himself. A young man, 22 years of age, a first offender, was convicted and discharged. MAINTENANCE. James Duncan admitted being in mr-ears with his maintenance order. He stated that ho had been in bed for most of the past month. —The Maintenance Officer sahj that the average earnings of the defendant amounted to £4 per week. His employer stated that the, man was out of work through his own foolishness.—Tho defendant was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, the warrant to b© suspended as long as he paid £2 per week and 2s 6d per week off the arrears. Joseph Michael Davidson was charged with having failed to keep up payments under a maintenance order made in respect to his father.—Mr Irwin, who appeared for the complainant, said that tho defendant- was a miner working on the West Coast. The defendant was sentenced to twenty-seven days’ imprisonment in Westport Prison, to be released on the payment of arrears. Robert James Brown, who admitted paternity of an illegitimate child, was ordered to pav maintenance at the rate of 15s per week, past maintenance £l3 10s, confinement expenses £lO 10s, and solicitor’s fee £3 os. Mr C. J. L. White appeared for the complainant, and Mr A. G, Neill for the defendant..