EXPRESS v. MOTOR CAR

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 April 1925, Page 3

EXPRESS v. MOTOR CAR

PROBLEM FOR MAGISTRATE (Special to “Star.”) INVERCARGILL, April 27. A case that is creating more than ordinary public interest was before , Mr. G. •. Cruickshank in the Magis* trate’s Court when, Allan George Watt, a well-known Invercargill draughtsman was charged by the police with being drunk whilst in charge of his motor car, driving without a license, and placing his car across a railway line, thus endangering the travelling public. The hearing . attracted a large number of the pubi lie throughout. Senior Sergt. ScanI drett prosecuted on behalf of the j . police, and Mr. P. Gilfedder appeared i for the defendant. = In outlining the case the Senr. Sergt. said that on Easter Monday evening, defendant paid a visit to the Southern Club, afterwards obtaining ( liquor at a house. The next morning his ear was lying across the main north express line at Mill Road. Early in the morning, the express dashed into the car but the driver had applied the brakes, and the train escaped by pushing the car 20 yards along the line. Defendant was found hatless, coatless and stupid with drink. William Patterson, engine driver, said that he saw the car on the line, and applied the brakes. The train pushed tlie car along for 20 yards. Had the car been jammed in the cattle stop a few yards further, the train would have been wrecked. Defendant was found at the back of the car, and had apparently just awoken. He said that he had been there for five or six hours. William Mathieson, fireman, said he could see the head of the man in the car as the train approached. When questioned defendant had no boots ’ on. His boots were'on the step orthe car.

Sergt. Hewitt gave evidence that on the morning of the accident, defendant came to the police and complained that his car had been stolen. He said he had been awakened in the middle of the night by a tap at his bedroom window. An unknown man had told him that his car was across the line at Mill Road, and he dressed and went straight out. While he was trying to get the car off the line, the express had dashed into it. In his own defence, defendant gave evidence on the lines of his statement to the police and added that he had taken his boots off as they were full of gravel after walking round -the car.

Senr. Sergt.: Did you' not think of 1 the train passengers’ lives. Defendant: No. I was looking after my own interests. . Defendant added that he had consumed one small whisky that evening. ! James* Gilkison, Company Manager of Invercargill, said that on the evening of Easter Monday, defendant had driven him home in his car. At witness’s house, had a small whisky and then departed. He seemed quite sober. The Court adjourned, as his Worship wished to hear evidence as to the defendant’s bed having been slept in that evening.