CARELESS MOTOR DRIVING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18939, 10 February 1925, Page 11

CARELESS MOTOR DRIVING.

COLLISIONS AT HAMILTON. THREE DRIVERS CONVICTED. [El* TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON. Monday. A case arising out of a slight collision between two motor-cars in Victoria Street, Hamilton, in December, came before Mr. 11. A. Young, S.M., to-day. Albert Leonard Cooper (Mr. Johnson) was charged with dangerous driving, and Albert William Smith with cutting a corner. The magistrate said that although it was orilv a slight collision in his opiuion it had Tbeen entirely due to Cooper not keeping a sufficient look-out. Smith was acquitted and Cooper was fined £2, with 23s costs. Peter Jelavich (Mr. Johnson) was charged with driving oil his wrong side of the road. Sergeant Cooper stated that it was admitted bv the defence that. Jelavich was on his wrong side but it was claimed that he had been forced over by another car. Julia McQuistan, who was knocked down by defendant, said she was cycling in the direction of Hamilton when a car csme from a street on its wrong side travelling at a furious speed. After this car had passed her she saw accused's car approaching straight upon her. There was a head-on collision and witness was rendered unconscious. After hearing evidence and counsel the magistrat.3 said that it appeared that the accident was due to Jelavich being on the wrong side of the crown of the road. Had he been on his correct side he would only have had to turn to the left to avoid the other car. He convicted accused and imposed a fine of £5 Is, with £3 13s costs Security for appeal was fixed at £lO 10s. An elderly man, John Prendergast (Mr. Feeney), was charged with negligent driving and with failing to cross an intersecting line. A collision occurred between his car and a motor-cycle ridden by R. H. Chapman. Defendant pleaded not guilty to both charges. Chapman said he put out his hand when turning into Bridge Street and took a wide curve to avoid defendant's car which was coming up from the traffic bridge. Prendergast, witness alleged, swung his car across to take an easier grade round the corner with the result that they collided and witness was slightly injured and his cycle was damaged. Mr. Feeney intimated that ho was prepared to plead guilty to the negligent driving charge if the other was withdrawn. Tiie police agreed to this. Continuing, Mr. Feeney said that defendant had already paid a considerable sum to Chapman -to have tho damage repaired and was prepared to pay more. It had been one of those cases in which a man had to make up his mind in an instant as to which of several courses was the best. In view of the fact that a substantial sum had already been paid by defendant the magistrate imposed a fine of £5, with £3 12s costs.