MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 June 1937, Page 2

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

GREYMOUTH CASES. Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M., presided over to-day’s sitting of the Magistrate’s Court, Greymouth. SeniorSergeant E. Quayle represented the police. Four statutory first offenders, found on licensed premises after hours, were each fined 5/-, with 10/- costs. Two second offenders were each lined 10/-, with costs, and a third offender was fined £l, with costs. For driving a motor-car without a license, Patrick James Beban was fined £l, with 10/- costs. For parking a, car too close to the intersection of Mackay and Tainui Streets, on May 31, Leslie Wickham was fined 5/-, with 10/- costs. Defendant was represented by Mr A. 11. Paterson, and pleaded gulilty. Tho Senior-Sergeant said that the car was standing within 12ft of the corner, and 4ft out from the footpath. Mr Paterson said' that defendant’s place of business was near the corner, and he was delayed in the shop by a customer. He was not in the habit of parking his car so close to the intersection. >

Archibald. Campbell, who was charged with riding a cycle after sunset, without a light, pleaded not guilty. Constable Barr said that he saw defendant riding without a light in Tainui Street, at 7.40 p.m. Defendant said that his light was going when he left High Street. Witness tested the lamp, which was of the electric battery type, but it would, not work. Defendant said that when going along High Street he did not notice that the light was dim. When the constable stopped him, the light was still in. It’ was quite bright when he left home. It might not throw a light for 100 yards, but it would be visible at that distance. He had since bought a new battery. The S.M. said that defendant wgs old enough to know the danger of riding without an efficient light. Mr Ferner said he thought that what had happened in this case was that the battery had not been effective. While no doubt he had some slight gleam of light, it was not suffici'ent. He impressed upon .defendant the necessity of having an efficient light. In this case, the information would be dismissed. DANGEROUS DRIVING.

John Patrick Mathews was charged that, on April 25, on the Greymoutth-Bru-nner highway, he drove a car in a dangerous manner. Mr J. W. Hannan Appeared for defendant, ai|d pleaded guilty. The Senior-Sergeant said I hat on Sunday, April 25, about 9.30 p.m., four women were walking along the road from Kaiata to Dobson. When 400 or 500 yards beyond the turn-off to the golf links, they saw two cars approaching, one from Greymouth and the other from Dobson. Both had good lights. The wonien judged that the cars would reach them at. the same time, and they stood, close to the edge of tlie road. The latter was straight, and about 24ft The car coriiing from Dobson was driven by defendant, and that from Greymouth by John Frederick Gray. TJie women stood on Gray’s side of the road, and he slowed down to pass them. Defendant’s car came across and- struck Gray’s car on the right rear mudguard, and broke off the rear bumper, which was thrown back 20ft and struck two of the woniefi. One received bruises on her arm, body and shoulder, and the other had a large cut; on the head, and severe bruises on the body. Gray said that he saw the other car coming, and kept to his correct side. He said that defendant, was coming straight, at him, and caused, the collision. Gray stopped hit a, short distance, but defendant went on for 75 yards before he pulled up.' Defendant admitted travelling at 30 to 35 miles per hour. The wonien were put into Gray’s car, and taken to Dobson for medical attention. Gray communicated with the police, and suggested that defendant was intoxicated. Mathews was examined about midnight by Dr. Ray, who certified that defendant wits sober. Defendant had four men in the car with him, and Gray had his mother in his 1 car.

The S.M.: Did defendant admit having had any liquor?

The Senior-Sergeant replied -that Mathews admitted having two drinks. Two constables saw him, shortly after 11 p.m., and they said he was sober. Mr Hannan said that the question of liquor need not have been mentioned at all. The constable at the police station was quite satisfied that defendant was perfectly sober. Civil proceedings wore being taken in connection with the collision. Mr Hanhan said his instructions- were that defendant admitted an error of judgment. He was on the left sftle of the road, but not so far to the left as he could have been. He said that Gray’s car came over from its correct side, to pass the women. Defendant’s car was not far enough to the left, and struck the bumper of Gray’s car, which projected some distance beyond the side of the car. The. S.M. fined defendant £2. with 10/- costs.