TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22624, 29 April 1948, Page 3

TRAFFIC OFFENCES

RACE DAY INCIDENTS TWO MOTORISTS FINED As a result of incidents occurring between Gisborne and Makaraka on a race day, February 7, two motorists were charged in the Gisborne Magistrate's Court before Mr. E. L. Walton, S.M., yesterday. David Frances McCosh, who was proceeded against by the Transport Department's traffic inspector at Wairoa, Mr. C. H. Fippard, was fined £3 and costs 10s for driving without due care and attention. The defendant had pulled out of the line of traffic several times and had to force his way back into the line of cars each time, said the inspector. A plea of not guilty was entered by Leslie Lucas (Mr. A. P. Blair) when he was charged by the Transport Department’s inspector at Gisborne, Mr. R. Metcalfe, with overtaking traffic without having 300 ft. visibility ahead. Lucas had pulled out of the line of traffic going to the Makaraka races and had forced him in his oncoming car to swerve to the side of the road, said the inspector. Corroborative evidence was given by another traffic inspector, Mr. C. H. Fippard, who was following behind Mr. Metcalfe.

Both Lucas and his brother, who was in the vehicle with him, stated they had 400 ft. of clear visibility when they pulled out. Their vehicle was back in the traffic line by the time they were abreast of the inspector's vehicle. The estimated distance of clear visibility of the defendant and his witness appeared unreliable, said the magistrate in imposing a fine of £2 with costs 10s. The clear view was that between the defendant’s car and the inspector’s car on this occasion.