CAUSE OF A COLLISION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18664, 21 March 1924, Page 10

CAUSE OF A COLLISION.

WAGGON - DRIVER FINED.

DISTRACTED BY CRICKET.

With his attention firmly fixed upon the cricket match against the New South Wales team at the Basin Reserve, Wellington, recently, a man named David Brown drove his steam waggon on to the wrong side of the road so as to obtain a better view, and met disaster in the form of an approaching tramcar. The car gave warning of its approach, but by the time Brown had collected his thoughts a collision had taken place. The sequel to the affair was heard in th« Magistrate's Court, when Brown was charged with failing to keep on the proper side of the street, and with negligently driving a steam waggon. Mr. R. A. L. Tread well, who appeared for the defendant, humorously remarked that the New South Wales cricketers were responsible for the collision, as the defendant had been intent upon the match. Counsel declared that the motorman of the car was perhaps not altogether blameless. "When a big game is in progress," said counsel, "the cars just crawl along Dufferin Street, and the motorman usually has his attention fixed upon the game." The defendant was not m good circumstances, and whatever penalty was imposed would have to have time to pay. The magistrate remarked that there had been carelessness on the part of the defendant. * A fine of £4 and costs was imposed on the second charge, the first information feeing withdrawn. On > counsel's application for time, defendant was given a month in which to pay. v " ,■'". ':'■' r ; '