MOTORISTS IN COURT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18947, 19 February 1925, Page 9

MOTORISTS IN COURT.

MANY CHARGES PREFERRED. DEVONPORT ACCIDENT SEQUEL. MOTOR-BUSES AND TRAMCARS. Penalties {or various breaches of bylaws and motor regulations were imposed on a number of motorists and drivers of motor vehicles in the Police Court, yesterday. The cases were beard by Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M., and Messrs. R. Marsack and A. M. Samuel, J.P's. A fine of £3 and costs was imposed on Dr. L. K. Hagen, of Devonport, who pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving on Lake Road. Sergeant Rowell said defendant and another medical man were driving back to Devonport from Takapuna and in attempting to' pass another vehicle by tho gas works when travelling at a high speed the car swerved on to tho footpath and knocked down a man who was walking along with his back to tho car. Tho man was rendered unconscious. Tho wholo evidence went to show the defendant was driving in a negligent manner and at an excessive speed. Defendant had since attended the man who was knocked down and was doing all he conld for him. Mr. Singer, who appeared for Dr. Hagen, said he did not admit all Sergeant Howell's statement. Ho did not admit tho speed was excessively fast. Anyone who knew the road in question would realise that it was almost impossible to drive along it with safety to a car or pedestrian. Defendant attributed the accident to the driver of the vehicle in front keeping too far over to the right and causing defendant's car to skid as it passed, with the result that the man was knocked down. The latter had been compensated. H. S. Hainsworth was convicted and ordered to pay costs, £3 19s, for driving a lorry in a dangerous manner in Newmarket, Thomas James Cole (Mr. Luxford) denied driving a motor-car in a dangerous manner at the junction of New North and Dominion Roads, it being contended that it could not have been his car. However a conviction was entered and defendant was fined £1 and costs. Two motor bus drivers, Jamas Paul and Harry Whisker, were each fined £1 and costs for stopping their buses opposite a safety zone in Symonds Street contrary to the by-law. A charge of obstructing tramway traffic in Anzac Avenue was denied by a motor lorry driver, A. Kyle. Evidence was given that defendant kept his lorry on the tram rails in front of a tramcar for about a quarter of a mile, despite repeated sounding of tho gong by the motorman. Defendant said he did not hear the gong and turned off the rails when he became aware there was a tram behind. He had a load of timber on the lorry. A fine of £1 and costs was imposed. For driving a motor-cycle past a stationary tramcar in Great North Road William Smith was ordered to pay costs £1 13s. His explanation was that he was not aware the tram was at a stop. Several other persons were fined for minor breaches.