WOODVILLE & DISTRICT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 162, 10 June 1939, Page 12

WOODVILLE & DISTRICT

MAGISTRATE'S COURT. INCIDENT IN GORGE. A case arising out of an incident in Ilic Mnnawatu Gorge on March 25 occupied some time. K. V. Reduanl. of Aliingatoro Valley, Dannovirkc. pleaded not guilty, in tlie -Magistrate's Court on Thursday', to a charge that he drove a motor-ear in the Gorge without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road. r l radio Inspector Semple prosecuted, and Mr T. 11. G. Moyd ( Dannevirke) appeared for defendant. date in question he was motoring to the Palmerston North races, the car also containing .Mrs and .Miss Lyon "ud Mr M. (). Grainger, and lie recounted the attempts which they made II UNiiceessf n|J v to pirns defendant’* car : the latter by the manner in which lie drove the vehicle was either a verv careless driver or deliberately obstructed and prevented witness from passing him. Witness expressed the opinion that the offence was deliberate. In consequence of defendant’s behaviour witness took tin' number of 1 1 is car. Eventually, at the mouth of the Gorge, defendant allowed him to pass. M. (). Grainger confirmed the previous witness's statement that defendant would not allow his ear to pass. Mr Lloyd suggested that the ease was one of mistaken identity. Other ears had passed defendant, and a third one dashed by at a sharp angle, and was soon out of sight. Defendant never took its number. lie did not know anything of the trouble till he got a letter from Inspector Semple. lie had been driving rui ten years and was very careful. Defendant, in evidence, said he had no idea that his warrant of fitness had expired. He thought it lasted lor 12 months. lie denied the allegations of the prosecution regarding the obstruction in the Gorge. A number of cars overtook him ami lie had that day identified the spot in the Gorge where a third ear had passed him at a sharp fiend marked. ''Danger.’’ On the running hoard of his ear was a sheep dog valued at £SO and in consequence he was very careful in driving the ear. Ho. denied that lie "extended his lingers’’ to .Mr Lyons’s party, lie had a habit of rubbing his face occasionally, as he did on this occasion.

Mr Lyon said lie «as positive of the number of delendani’s ear, an inspection of which was made near the Courthouse. A Damievirke resident, who accompanied defendant confirmed the latter s version of the trip. The Magistrate hold that there was conclusive evidence against defendant, who was lined L'- and costs 10s. On a. charge of having no warrant ol fitness defendant was lined 10s and costs 10s. A month was allowed in which to pay the fines.