MAGISTRATE’S COERT

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1938, Page 2

MAGISTRATE’S COERT

GREYMOUTII SITTING^, GREYMOUTH, August 8. At the Magistrate’s Court ■ yesterday, David J. Greancy was charged that on July 1, at Greymouth, ' ne drovie ia motor-truck' without due care and attention. He did not appear.

Traffic Inspector H. Lane, who laid the information, said that it was a case of “hit and run.” Defendant parked his truck in Mawhera Quay, and later, about 8 p.rn., a car was parked behind the truck. Defendant backed his truck into the car, causing damage to the extent of about £2. He evidently did not trouble to look behind, before starting his truck. A bystander called out to him twice, but defendant did not stop to ascertain the damage. Under Clause 6 of the Motor Vehicles Act, it was compulsory for a driver involved in an accident to stop, and ascertain whether he. had in ured anyone. The offence was regarded as serious. Alfred Delm, of Wataro.a, said that he parked his car four or five feet behind the truck. He left the car, with the parking lights on. When he returned shortly afterwards, he found one of the ' headlights smashed, and the radiator pushed in. There was then no sign of the'truck. George Kitchinghum said that, Tic heard the crash, and wont to the doui of his shop. He saw the truck backed.into the car.

Richard Barker, of Dunolfie, said that lie was leaving Kitqhinghanrs Shop. The truek-driytir started his engine,‘"and began to reverse?' Witness' called out to warn him, "But he might [not have heard. 'After'' tillcrash,‘ witness again called out? sut the driver'took no notice, and drove off quickly. Inspector Lane said that the accident was reported to him about 8.50 p.m. He went to the.scene, hut there

was no sign of the truck. On July 2, lie wrote to defendant, asking him to come in and give an explanation, but lie did not do so. On July, 11, witness, accompanied by Constable Swan, interviewed defendant at Rapa hoe, Greauey admitted that he was the driver of the truck; and also adj mitt.od that he knew there was a bump. In the first place, he alleged that the car ran into the .truck. Constable ,P. Swan said that defend* •»at admitted colliding with the car, but said that the car. was moving. He admitted that lie did not inspect 'the

car, to see what damage had been caused. the fe.M. said that lie looked upon the case as bad. Defendant had been hefore, the Courts previously, for ! breaches relating to motor veil idea. In tins east, he had adopted a negligent and irresponsible ; attitude. He did 1 JJot sfco P to ascertain the damage, even i n ’ben. lie was made aware of the fact J that lie had been in a collision. In | view of that attitude, and his previous convictions, his license would 1 he dealt with. Ho would be fined £2, with witnesses’ expenses £3 Bs, and Court costs 19s; His current driving license would be suspended for one mouthy this being the maximum suspension which could be made, in view of the particular, section of the Act under which the charge was laid, I