NEGLIGENT DRIVING

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 163, 25 June 1928, Page 5

NEGLIGENT DRIVING

ON NAPIER-TARADALE ROAD

DEFENDANT FINED AND LICENSE ENDORSED.

At the Napier Magistrate’s Court to-day, before Mr H. A. Young 8.M., and Mr A. E. Bedford, J.P., I'homrs O’Dowd, commercial traveller (Mr L. A. Rogers) pleaded guilty to the negligent driving of a motor car on tbo N'apier-Taradale road on March 11. O'Dowd was further charged with allowing a motor car to stand in a public street for a longer period ihuu twenty minutes.

Senior-Sergeant Powell stated that on the day in question the defendent, when passing a "bus which had stopped to let down a passenger, swerved in towards it, almost knocking a lady down. He continued on, swerving from one side of the road to the othei, finally colliding with a car driven by a man named McCutcheon. It was alleged that at the time the de defendant was travelling at fully 59 mile* an hour, and that he smelt strongly of liquor. If any of the police had been in the vicinity he probably would have been arrested for being in a state of intoxication whue in charge of a car. Mr Rogers took exception to the long delay in bring forward the case, which prejudiced the defendant in tbo action.

Senor-Sergeant Powell explained that there had been correspondence between Mr Rogers and the defendant on the matter, which accounted for the delay. The only evidence that the defendant could produce was a lady who was driving with him, and he had refused to give her name. His Worship: Are you suggesting that the woman was not his wife?

Senior-Sergeant Powell: I am not suggesting anything (laughter.) On the charge of negligent driving the defendant was fined £l5 and costs, while his licensed was ordered to bo endorsed. On the minor charge he was convicted and discharged.