Otaika Rd Speeding Charge Dismissed

Northern Advocate, 16 March 1948, Page 4

Otaika Rd Speeding Charge Dismissed

“I don't care if your husband wears a crown and carries a harp,” said Mr W. C. Harlcv, S.M., at the Whangarei Court yesterday, when hearing. evidence from the wife of a motorist who had been charged with driving a motor vehicle in a manner dangerous to the public. Inspector G. Hunter, of the Transport Department, said the motorist, Charles Cyril Anderson, was driving south near Otaika. at a speed of between 45 and 50 m.p.h. The car \\' as swerving violently. When he stopped it Anderson had said he did not think he was travelling at an excessive speed.

To Mr D. J. Thomson (for Anderson), Inspector Hunter said he first saw the car from a distance of about 12 chains.

Anderson said he had passed another car and was doing no more than 40 m.p.h. He was surprised to see the inspector stop him. He did not notice any wobbles, and pulled up next to the inspector’s car, not GO yards ahead, as Inspector Hunter had alleged. WIFE’S TESTIMONY Phyllis Rose Anderson said she was sitting beside her husband, Anderson. Her husband always drove on the left hand side of the road, and never travelled at an excessive speed, as it frightened her, she said. : “I don’t care if your husband wears a crown and carries a harp,” remarked the magistrate. “I want to know what he was doing before the inspector pulled him up.” Witness said that she had felt no swerving, and had no idea that the inspector had stopped the car. She thought perhaps it was for a check on the driver’s licence, or the warrant of fitness, but, “never dreamed” that it could bo speeding or wobbling. Mr Harley then dismissed the case. TRICKSTERS NOT ENCOURAGED George Scvren Brandso, who drove his motor-cycle along a main highway with two passengers behind him on the pillion, was fined 10/-. “The last people I saw doing this trick were the Nairn They had six people behind them on a small bike but this must not be done now,” said Mr Harley. William Percy Cottrell was fined I‘2 with costs 10/- for driving a motor vehicle at a speed exceeding 30 m.p.h. For driving a motor vehicle in a manner dangerous to the public, Colin Stanley Cooper was fined £3 with 10/costs. Eric Donald Vesey Granf was fined £2 with 10/- costs for carrying an excessive load on a motor vehicle. For failing to keep as far as practicable to the left, Dennis John Lindsay was fined 10/- with IQ/'- costs. CROSSED RAILWAY LINE •Wilfred Hartnell Hitchcock was ordered to pay costs for driving across a railway line while it was not clear. Hitchcock said he was about three yards from the line when the warning lights went on. If he had stopped the vehicle and the motor had stalled he would have had to get out and crank the motor, which would be more dangerous than crossing the line. Donald Faulkener Williams was 'fined 10/- with costs 12/- for using an unlicensed trailer on a main highway. For operating a motor vehicle without a warrant of fitness or a warning device, Robert Henry Biddles _ was fined 10/- with 10/- costs on the'first count, and £1 with 10/- costs on the second.