MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 21 February 1931, Page 6

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

DANGEROUS DRIVING OF MOTOR CYCLE At the Magistrate’s Coui’t before Mr T. E. Maunsell, S.M., yesterday after) noon, Leslie Gerrard Burke was charged with being the driver of a motor cycle in Hardy street, he did drive in a manner which having regard to all the circumstances was dangerous to the public. He pleaded not guilty. The information was laid by the City Traffic Inspector, Mr C. E. Parkinson, for whom Mr W. V. Fletcher appeared. Henry Cotton and Frank Pauling," both experienced motorists, in evidence estimated that defendant’s speed on rounding the corner of Hardy and Trafalgar streets on the day in question was about 25 miles per hour. Alfred W. Clayden, accountant, of Nelson, gave evidence of being knocked down by defendant. Defendant explained that as he turned the corner he could not go to the left to avoid Mr Clayden as there were cars in front of the Masonic Hotel. He said Mr Clayden ran across in front of his front wheel.

The Magistrate decided that if defendant had been going at a reasonable speed he would have been able to avoid the pedestrian. A fine of £2, costs £2 ss, was imposed. On a second charge of driving the cycle not being the holder of a driver’s license, defendant was fined 10s, costs 10s.