CAR COLLISION

Grey River Argus, 16 June 1942, Page 1

CAR COLLISION

Two Motorists Prosecuted at greymouth. ' As a sequel tUlUollision between a milk van and a motor-car at. th intersection of Murray and , ander Streets. Greymouth, sho <-.> after 4 p.m. on May M, both motoi ists involved, appeared before M fG Chisholm, S.M., in the Magistral'- s Court at Greymouth . yesterday. Senior Sergeant G. F. Bonisch appeared for the police. The driver of the car, Harold Bradley Brownrigg of Devon Street, Greymouth, pleaded guilty to a charge of driving- a motor vehicle without a warrant of fitness. The Senior Sergeant said that as a result of enquiries made after the accident, it was ascertained that defendant did not have a warrant of fitness foi’ his vehicle, it having expired 14 days previously. Defendant was convicted and fined 5s and 10s costs. FAILURE TO GIVE WAY. A charge of failing to give way to traffic approaching on his right was preferred against Frederick Alexander Warren, driver of the milk van, who entered a plea of not guilty. In evidence, Brownrigg said that on May 24, a Sunday afternoon, he was driving his car ' north along Alexander Street. As he came down Easson’s Hill towards the intersection with Murray Street, he was travelling at about 20 miles an hour. He sounded his horn, but collided with defendant’s milk van. He was on the right of the van as he approached the intersection. His car was struck on the left hand side near the rear door and mudguard. The portion of the car which was struck was in the centre of. the road. He heard no horn, but saw defendant's car on his left so continued on his course, expecting the van to stop and give way to witness. The corner was a blind one, and he could not see the road on his right. It was a) dangerous corner. He told defendant that he thought he had been travelling at a fair rate. Defendant made no reply. The damage to his car amounted to £l7. His car was turned in almost a complete circle. To defendant: He did not attempt to stop his car at the intersection. Constable H. Cloak, Greymouth, said that on May 24 he was walking near the intersection when the accident occurred and he saw what happened. Defendant’s car was travelling at about 20 to 25 miles an hour and did not slow up when approaching the intersection. (Brownrigg’s car suddenly appeared, and although defendant applied, the brakes a collision took place. Defendant’s car was then nearly at a standstill. It then bounced back and turned around. It was a very bad' corner. Brownrigg’s caf was turned around at the impact., .'The. intersie'ction.,rcquired a good deal of care and the responsibility was on the defendant to see that the road was clear.

Constable A. Keown, of Greymouth, said he arrived at the scene of the accident in response to a call. Brownrigg’s car had passed the intersection when it was struck. He could smell, liquor on defendant, who said he had had no liquor since 2 a.m. that morning, when he consumed half a bottle of beer before milking the cows. The smell was very pronounced and the time was 4.30 p.m. Defendant, in evidence said he was proceeding along Murray Street at a moderate speed. When he ' approached the intersection he observed another car coming down the hill and applied his brakes. The other car came on and struck his van, turning it round so that it faced down Alexander Street.

To the Senior Sergeant: His car was damaged on the side mudguard. Brownrigg’s car hit him with the rear door as it swerved to avoid defendant’s car, which was then stationary. He stopped as soon as he could. The responsibility was on him to give way to traffic on the right, but he did not see the other car in time to stop. - “It is clear that defendant must be convicted,” said the Magistrate, “even if his story is correct and) it is quite feasible. It is possible that the accident occurred as he says, but that does not clear him of the charge. Brownrigg had the right of way and it was defandant’s responsibility to be travelling at such a speed to stop in time. He will be convicted and fined £2 with 10s costs.”

The Senior Sergeant said there had been two previous convictions. One was for having no warrant of fitness and the other for exceeding the speefl limit.