MOTUEKA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 16 August 1924, Page 2

MOTUEKA

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

The monthly- sitting of the Magistrate’s Cotlrt took place at tho 'Courthouse tin Thursday; Mr T. E, Alaunsell, S.AI, t was on the Bench. For driving a motor car in J’alist root, MotueJca, on 12th July, without having a front registered number attached thereto, contrary to the Amended Motor llegnlations of 11th February, 1918, William liickmott was convicted and fintd Cl and costs. Defendant stated that when he got the car ten years ago it was without a front registered number and lie was unaware that same was now compulsory.

James Owen Williams, for driving a car in High-street, Alotueka, on 2oth JullO Uildcr similar conditions, was ordered to pay costs, 7s, Defendant admitted that ho was conversant with the fact that a front registered number should have appeared on the car. but stated that lie did not know it had disappeared.

Jack Oswald Williams Graves was charged with (1) riding a motor cycle on a public highway ,to wit, High-street,-Motueka, in a manner dangerous to the public; and (2) -did negligently drive a motor cycle. C-onsUVde Andrews stated that on the 3toh June, when two ladies, Mrs Stilwell and Airs J. Wright, were walking on the Ri-waka-Motueka road, near Duncan’s corner, ono of them (Mrs StiLwell) was knocked down by a motor cycle ridden by defendant. Mrs Stilwell stated that on the night in question, she was walking at the edge of the road near Duncan’s Corner, along with Airs Wright, who was walking on the grass, when she heard a motor cycle approaching from tho rear. Next thing witness knew was that she was on the ground, with the motor cycle on top of her. Witness said that defendant had a good light-, and the road, where tho accident occurred, was in good condition. Tho only traffic about at the time was a car with bright lignts, near Air Rankin’s liouso.

Airs Joseph Wright gave evidence to the effect that on the night of 30th June, while walking on the Alotueka road in company with Airs Stilwell, they were approached from the rear -by .a motor cycle ridden by defendant, which knocked down her companion. The night was dark, but Graves should have been able to see them. All’s Wright stated that she did not consider that defendant was going very fast-

Jack Oswald William Graves said that on 30tli June, about 7.45 p.m., ho was riding a motor cycle in the direction of Alotueka. When approaching the bend near Duncan’s, he -saw Mrs -Wright on the edge of the road. Witness jammed on his brake and swerved to avoid striking her, then ran into Airs -Stilwell, whom ho did not see. -Witness had a passenger on the carrier; the cycle was travelling at about 12 to 15 miles per hour. William Whitehorn -stated that he was tho passenger on the motor cycle. When a few yards round the bend, he say a dark object, which turned but to he Airs Wright, and, »s ; the cycle swerved, he noticed Airs Stilwell, but it was too late for defendant to avoid the latter. Witness said ho thought the accident was due to defendant being unable to see the.ladies on account of a blaze of light coming from a car further up the street, and the streetlights; The cycle, on leaving Alotueka bridge, was travelling about 25 miles an hour. He asked defendant to slow down as the road was bumpy. When approaching the bend, the cycle was doing oidy about 12 to 15 milesThe Magistrate said the public must be protected. If a person’s vision is so impaired by lights, then it is Hs duty, as a driver of a motor vehicle, to'pull up even to a walking pace to ensure the safety of the public, lie considered that had defendant reduced speed, as he ought to have done, the accident need not have happened. Defendant was convicted on the first charge and fined £3, costs 7s 6d. Witnesses 10s 6d . The- second information was'dismissed. Edward Julia Leahy was charged with driving » motor car on a public highway, to wit, Lodder’s Lane, Riwaka, in a manner which was dangerous to the public. Mrs Buddeii, Riwaka, stated that she ivas wheeling a perambulator accompanied by Mrs J. Wright, in Lander’s Lane on 7tli July, iVlien a ‘small car, driven by defendant, approached from the rear at a great rate. Witness quickly : pushed the perambulator, containing a child, on tho grass, and -prevented what might have been a serious accident. The road tvas sufficiently wide to allow a car to pass AA’ithout forcing pedestrians on. to the grass. All's J. Weight stated that she was with Airs Budden in Lodder’s Lane on 7tli July. Witness heard a car coming behind at a great pace, and drew Airs Budden’s attention to tho speed. Constable AndreAv s stated that lie had intervieAved defendant, who admitted that lie Avas driving tho car -at a good speed. Tlie Alagistratc said that- ho was glad the public was assisting in these matters, in supplying the police Avitli information.

Defendant was convicted and fined £5, costs 7s, witnesses 10s 6d. The Magistrate’s reserved judgment in the case Motueka Farmers’ Co-op. (in liquidation) v. A. H. Holimvood, claim £4 15s for unpaid share calls, was given for plaintiffs ,with costs £1 10s.