DANGEROUS CROSSING.

Grey River Argus, 21 June 1927, Page 8

DANGEROUS CROSSING.

MOTORISTS FINED FOR IGNORING SIGNAL. SUBSTANTIAL PENALTY IMPOSED. Percy Williamson was charged before Mr. L. G. L. Hewitt, S.M., with driving a motor vehicle over the railway crossing in Tainni Street on April 20th. and failing to comply with the directions of an officer of the Railway Department, when ordered to stop to permit a train to pass. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Maurice R. Clarke, porter, gave evidence that shunting operations were in progress at the time of the alleged offence, and witness had given the usual signal to stop, by holding up both hands. To the Magistrate: The caY swerved around him. The wig-wag was not going nt the time. He recognised the defendant as the man who was driving the car. In reply to questions by defendant, witness stated he was not wearing a rail way official’s uniform at the time, le was standing near the footpath. Defendant said that witness had not stood in a conspicuous position and it could not be expected that he (defendant) would be able to see him in time. Tie had swerved in order to avoid knocking him down. Thomas G. Johnstone, fireman, of the Railway Department, gave evidence that he had seen the car coming and seen the porter give the signal. The car had swerved, and he kept going. To the Magistrate: He had not seen any other cars there at the time. Defendant declined to go into the witness box and requested that his statement be handed to the Magistrate. The Magistrate, after perusing defendant’s statement, said that the signal given was a well recognised one, and such offences could not be passed over lightly. It was not only a great danger, but was nerve wiackiug to the engine driver and also a danger to the driver of the car. It was a very dangerous crossing, and he thought he was justified in inflicting a substantial fine. Defendant was convicted and fined £5, the amount to include witnesses’ expenses and Court costs.