MOTOR-CARS DAMAGED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20868, 9 May 1931, Page 11

MOTOR-CARS DAMAGED.

ONE SPRAYED WITH BITUMEN

MAIN ROAD INCIDENT. SEQUEL IN POLICE COURT. The experiences of some motorists on tho Birkenhead- Albany Road, near Glenfield, on April 17, were detailed in the Police Court yesterday, when Cecil Mark Brown was charged with wilfully damaging a motor-car to the extent of £10; damaging an overcoat and a pair of trousers valued at £4 10s; and assaulting Walter Frederick Parrish. Mr. Bryce Hart represented accused.

Detective-Sergeant Kelly said that on April 17 two residents of Greenhithe, Messrs. Parrish and G. T. Dudley, were driving along the Albany Road when they encountered a gang of men bituminising tho surface. A Mjiori working at the roadside signalled them on, after a lorry had passed in tho opposite direction. Brown picked up a stone as if to throw it, but suddenly dropped it and took the bitumen sprayer from the man who was using it. As the car passed he sprayed it with hot bitumen, which spoiled Parrish's clothing and covered one side of the car.

Walter Henry Parrish said he was a passenger in Dudley's car.. The car used the clay part of the road instead of the newly-tarred portion. He went back to demand an explanation from defendant, who said he was "wild" at the time. Cross-examined by Mr. Hart, witness said there was no sign to indicate that tho road was closed. Godfrey Tasman Dudley gave corroborative evidence. Mr. Hart said that although defendant used the wrong method, he was incensed at his newly-finished work being crossed by the car. / Defendant was convicted and ordered to make good the damage, in default a month's imprisonment. Two Maoris, Walter Davis and Monty Grace, employees of the defendant in th.e previous case, were charged with wilfully damaging a motor-car, belonging to the New Zealand Government, to the extent of £3 10s. Detective-Sergeant Kelly said defendants were spreading metal on the road and held up a car with officials in it. One damaged the front 'with a shovel, and tho other made a rent in the hood. Defendants were fined £2 each and were ordered to make good the damage.