14 DAYS’ CANCELLATION

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 February 1947, Page 4

14 DAYS’ CANCELLATION

ARAHURA MOTOR DRIVER IN COURT COMMENT BY MAGISTRATE [SPECIAL REPORTER] HOKITIKA, This Day. “I have cancelled licences in other cases where there has been no suggestion of liquor, so it would be unfair not to cancel yours, even if it just serves to remind you that liquor and a car do not go together, even on, the West Coast —or more so on the West Coast, with its dangerous roads,” said Mr. A. A. McLachlan, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court at Hokitika to-day, to William Henry Douglas, farmer, Of Arahura. Douglas pleaded guilty to charges of driving without due care and attention and without a warrant of fitness. Senior-Sergeant A. Mclntyre said that a light truck driven by the defendant was involved in an accident near the Arahura Pa at 9.45 a.m. on January Ist. The defendant had three passengers with him in the front seat and it was admitted that they had spent portion of the previous night drinking in hotels. The lorry travelled erratically lor 80 yards and capsized on the road. One passenger was admitted to hospital and two others were slightly injured.

Cause of Accident. The defendant told the Magistrate that he was not under the influence of liquor and that the accident was caused by one of the passengers going off to sleep and falling across him at the wheel. The Senior-Sergeant said it looked to be a serious matter after a drinking bout all night and he would press for cancellation of the licence. After making the remarks quoted above the Magistrate fined the defendant £5 with 10/- costs on the. major charge, and cancelled his licence for 14 days. On the other charge the defendant was fined 10/with 15/- costs. Theft Charge.

On the application of his counsel (Mr. M. B. James) a remand until Friday next was granted in the case of a young married man, who was arrested last night, on a charge of the theft at Hokitika on February Bth of a washing wringer valued at £4/10/- ; the property of Mary Jane Bergstrom. Bail was allowed in accused’s own recognisance of £25, with one surety of £25. The accused’s name was suppressed in the meantime.