MOTOR-CAR WRECKED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19732, 3 September 1927, Page 12

MOTOR-CAR WRECKED.

SEQUEL IN POLICE COURT.

UNLAWFUL CONVERSION CHARGE

DRIVER FINED FIVE POUNDS

A joyride resulting in the wrecking of a valuable car owned by the illusionist Carter the Great was followed by the appearance in the Police Court yesterday of Louis William Young, stage artist, aged 26, on charges of converting the motor to his own use "and of driving without a licence. The accident occurred on the narrow bridge over the Takanini stream at Manurewa shortly after 2.50 yesterday morning. Young, who has driven the car for his employer for some time, was accornpauicd on the early morning_ trip by Mr. Gordon Ferguson, also a member of the magician's company, and by Miss Elsie Robinson and Miss Ruby O'Meara. of Auckland. They left the city after 11 o'clock on Thursday evening. Young offered no explanation when charged with the offences. Senior-Sergeant Edwards said Mr. Carter had given accused no authority to use the car for the evening. The car was valued at £6OO, it was not insured, and an engineer had estimated the cost of reconstruction at £3OO. Young was not familiar with the road and a bend at the approach to the bridge was unexpected. The car struck a portion® of the bridge-railing, tearing it away, and the vehicle then collapsed on to its side. The occupants had a miraculous escape and the injuries were trivial except in the case of accused, who suffered a severed artery and required several stitches in Ins hand. Accused's American driving licence was not applicable in New Zealand, Charles Joseph Carter, in evidence, said that until he had consulted a solicitor he could not determine the effect of Young's escapade on the contract under which he was employed The company was leaving New Zealand shortly and there would be difficulties if accused were detained. Accused had understood his American „ licence was valid in the Dominion. Accuser) had been permitted to use the car in Melbourne and had probably assumed ho could take it at will. Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., imposed a fine of £5 for conversion of the car and £1 on the minor count