ELTHAM COURT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 16 May 1928, Page 2

ELTHAM COURT.

FORTNIGHTLY SITTING. At the Eltham iMagistraite’,s Court yesterday, before Mir R. W. Tate, S.M., judgment for plaintiffs by default was entered in the foinowing undefended civil cases: — , Harold Alexander Cooper v. George Mullins, claim £8 Gs; Taranaki Traders’ Association v. J. M, Burns, £l2 17s 9d; Ira J. Bridger v. E. L. Markham, £]<j lls ?cl; C. C. Stanuei's v. C. V. Lonsdale, £1 sjs. In judgment summons proceedings, B. A. Martin was ordered to pay forthwith. to John Petrie the sum of £3 11,s 6d, in default four days’ imprisonment. At the instance of . Henry. A. NuttaJl, sueprin tendont of the Eltham Fire Brigade, Alfred H. Russell, carrier, of Eltham, was charged with driving a motor vehicle in Bridge Street within 15 fecit of a hydrant, for the time being In use in connection with an outbreak of fire, contrary to the regulations under the Motor VeMcles Act, 1924. Mr A. Chry,stall, who appeared for the informant, stated that .defendant drove Ms motor-lorry to the isoene of the fire, which occurred late at night. A large crowd had assembled. When turning the lorry preparatory to leaving the fire and in an endeavour to clear the orowd. Russell had barked the vehicle and damaged the hydrant. The fact that the fire occurred in a dwelling previously damaged by fire, and long unoccupied, somewhat lessened the consequences of defendant’s act. In the circumstances he did not presje for a heavy penalty or any penalty. The regulation was comparatively new, and the authorities concerned were desirous of impressing its importance in more serious surroundings. Defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. In entering a conviction, with costs (£1 Os 6d) th<f Magistrate said that since the beginning of March, he lia.d lost no opportunity of stressing to motor drivers the necessity of acquiring an intimate knowledge of the new motor regulatios. If they f ailed to do so, ignorance of their responsibilities would be no excuse, and he intended to deal with breaches 1 as provided by law. He strongly advised defendant to get a copy of the regulations and: commit them, to memory. The offence with which defendant wnw charged was governed bv a new regulation, and it would le as well (to make himself acquainted • ri fh the whole series.