A MAYOR PROSECUTED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18345, 10 March 1923, Page 11

A MAYOR PROSECUTED.

MOTOR-CAR BY-LAWS. FINED FOR "CUTTING" CORNER. Tho Mayor of Masterton,, Mr. 0. C. Pragnell, a well-known solicitor in that town, appeared as defendant in an action brought against him in the Wellington Magistrate's Court, for alleged breaches of the city by-laws.

Three informations were brought against Mr. Pragnell by the police. Mr. R. Kennedy defended. The infringements with which Mr. Pragnell was charged were said to have token place on Christmas Eve, when he was driving his car from Courtenay Place lo the Manners and Cuba streets intersection. TJ*e police evidence was to the effect that Mr. Pragnell had failed to stop his car when called upon, and had " cut '* the Cuba Street corner. The constable on duty called upon him to stop, and he failed to do so.

In evidence the defendant said he slowed down, and the constable stepped back. It was purely a misunderstanding. " I went the wrong way. That was all," said the witness. " I want to obey your by-laws, and I intend to do so. I never heard any direction to stop." The ma :istrate: It is quite easy to moke a mistake there.

" I am not a novice at driving a car,' continued Mr. Pragnell. " But in Wellington?" queried Mr. Hunt. " Yes, in Wellington, too," replied the witness. " Perhaps 23 times a- year for years past. The constable stepped back, and I thought he wanted me to go round." A statement had been forwarded by him to the police in January. " I will give, you the benefit of the doubt," announced Mr. Hunt. " But you cut a corner, you know!" A fine of ten shillings was inflicted for this offence, with costs, the other two informations oeing dismissed.