This Day. FURIOUS DRIVING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 18, 22 January 1867, Page 2

This Day. FURIOUS DRIVING.

George Rogers wa3 complained against for furious driving, on Sunday last. Mr. Martin of the Rising Sun, Waimea Road, and Mr. P. Birrell gave evidence to prove that the defendant came down College Hill at a furious pace. The defendant had apparently lost command of the horse. I. H. Cotton saAv the horse coming at a furious pace but could not say whether it was over driven or had run away. Mr. M'Artney proved that he let the horse to defendant, and a trap to carry two. It Avas a quiet horse, so quiet that a child could drive it. It came home very much distressed. The defendant called two witnesses who said the breeching was too long, it irritated the horse and caused it to run aAvay. They admitted the horse Avas marked on the legs, but they did not know it till next morning. The owner had offered to compromise the matter for £3 10s the amount of damage done to the horse. F. Swannell proved that the horse was quiet, and said if four persons were in the trap, the weight behind would have oppressed the horse. It was harnessed properly, and the trap was engaged "for two. It was slioavu in evidence that four persons were in the trap when it came down Snow's hill; two having been taken up on tbe road. The ostler swore the horse was never before chafed with the same harness. When it came in it was white as a sheet and would not eat for three hours after it came in. If the buggy was evenly loaded it was impossible for the king bolt to cut a horses hocks, as had beeu alleged. The Magistrate said he was not satisfied with the case, but it did not look well that the defendant had tried to run away. He should inflict a nominal fine of 10s. aud costs, in consequence of the doubt that rested on his mind.