TAKING SICK CHILD HOME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19447, 1 October 1926, Page 17

TAKING SICK CHILD HOME.

A "SPEEDING " MOTORIST. WITNESS FAINTS IN COURT. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] , CHKISTCHURCH. Thursday. A "speeding" case, which was heard by Mr. H. A. Young, S.M. to-day, ended in a witness fainting and falling heavily to the floor. The case contained an unusual feature with the result that a light fine w T as imposed. Inspector Rennie said ho saw defendant's car cross over the Radley Street intersection at a speed and in a manner dangerous to the public. Witness, from m&asuremenfs, worked out the speed at 30 miles an hour. There' was the usual line of traffic, but he could not swear to any cross traffic. Inspector Cross said he was signalled to pursue defendant's car. Witness did 32 miles an hour to catch him. He did so in about half a mile. Defendant then said he did not know anything of the speed limits and by-laws. For the defence Mr. Thomas stated that there were unusual features in the case. Defendant had hurried home with a sickchild on account of a severe storm of rain and hail. There were no side curtains on the car and the child was in a bad state. He would admit having gone about 25 miles an hour, but at, intersections he slackened to below 20 miles an hour. Defendant's wife had just begun to give evidence and had said that she was very nervous in a car, when she fell back in the witness box in a faint. The. magistrate announced that ho would find tho defendant guilty, and Mr. Thomas asked that the reason of hurrying should be taken into consideration. He thought a conviction and discharge would meet the case. Chief-Inspector Macintosh said tho statements regarding tho child were correct. Defendant was convicted and fined 20s and costs.