PURSUIT OP MOTOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20713, 5 November 1930, Page 12

PURSUIT OP MOTOR.

CHARGE OF INTOXICATION. ALLEGED DANGEROUS DRIVING. STORY TOLD BY POLICE. [BV TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Tuesday. An account of how the police had chased a car which had been concerned in an accident, but had at length to abandon tho pursuit, was given in the Police Court to-day, when Thomas John Firth was charged beforo Mr. T. B, McNeil, S.M., with being intoxicated when in charge of a car, with dangerous driving, and with failing to stop after an accident. Sub-Inspector Lopdell said that accused and a companion, when motoring from Masterton to Wellington on October 12, collided with a motor-cycle at Kaitoke Flat. The car did not stop, but later it returned. The accused questioned those standing by tho scene of the accident and said ho wished to discover who was the driver of the car concerned, but he was recognised by those present as the one responsible. Accused and his companion then drove off in the direction of Masterton, but returned for the second time and halted again to ask questions, then resuming their journey. Shortly afterward accused called at a farmhouso for benzine. Both at this place and at tho scone of the accident the people who spoke to the two men considered that they were intoxicated. Communication was made with tho police at Upper Hutt, and information given concerning the car and its occupants. The car passed through Upper Hutt at a speed estimated at 40 miles an hour. A constable made unsuccessful attempts to stop it, and then obtained tho aid of another constable whr was in his car close by, and they gave chase to tho vehicle ahead. In the ensuing journey to Lower Hutt accused had many narrow escapes from accident. When Lower Hutt wns reached tho police decided, in view of the congested traffic and the speed at which accused was travelling, to give up the chase. A constable later interviewed accused in Wellington. After evidence had been heard in support, an adjournment of the hearing was granted until Tuesday, <o enable counsel to obtain evidence for the defence.