DOCTOR FINED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22917, 21 December 1937, Page 20

DOCTOR FINED

SPEED OF MOTOR-CAR COLLISION WITH CYCLIST ENDORSEMENT OF LICENCE [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON. Monday There was a direct conflict of evidence in the case heard before Mr. S. L. Paterson, S.M., in Police Court to-day in whicli Douglas Martin, medical practitioner," of Ngarunwahia (Mr. Taylor) was charged with driving in a manner likely to bo dangerous. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Michael Francis 'Crosby said he was cycling in Victoria Street and was about to turn into Hood Street. He indicated his intention to turn by putting out his right hand. His cycle was struck by the front bumper of defendant's car. Witness was knocked over and bruised, and his cy'cle was damaged. Defendant gave him his name and told witness to send him the account for the cycle repairs.

Constables' Estimates Constable N. K. Crisp said his attention was attracted by the speed at which defendant's car passed him at the Collingwood Street corner. Witness estimated the speed at over 40 miles an hour. He stood out in the road and watched the car as he expected something to happen. As it passed he took the number. The car stopped suddenly near the post office. He walked quickly after it but when he arrived at the scene of the accident the car had gone. Constable T. D. Calder estimated defendant's speed at 45 miles an hour as it passed the Collingwood Street intersection. He considered the speed to be very dangerous.

Doctor's Evidence Defendant said that after passing Collingwood Street at not more than 30 miles an hour he stopped and parked his car. After calling at two shops he went on and saw the cyclist near the post office. The cyclist signalled as he was turning into Hood Street. Witness swerved his car and the cycle struck the back mudguard. J. F. Tonge said he spoke to defendant for several minutes between Collingwood Street and the post office. Two nephews of defendant, Zenis and Roy Owen, corroborated defendant's evidence that the car stopped at a shop between Collingwood Street and the post office. Coulibel suggested that the constables had made a mistake. Magistrate's Comment

The magistrate said there were two direct conflicts of evidence, first, between defendant and the constables, and second, between defendant and the cyclist. The motorist was seen bv two constables to pass at a very high rate of speed. The car's number was taken by both of them and both accurately described the vehicle. One constable went out into the road and watched it until it stopped at the sct-ne of the accident near the post office. Had the car stopped where defendant said it did, the constable would have overtaken it. When the constable arrived at the scene of the accident he saw a skid mark 16ft. long that had been made by the car. On the evidence, said Mr. Paterson, he was forced to the conclusion that defendant was not to be believed. Defendant was fined £2 and his driver s licence was endorsed, the endorsement to be effective until May 31, 1939.