DOCTOR FINED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22955, 10 August 1936, Page 7

DOCTOR FINED

The reason given by a doctor for driving at a high speed on the Great South x-oad —that he had received an urgent call to his father, who had suddenly became ill—was not accepted as justification for speeding by Mr F. H. Lcvien, S.M., before whom the doctor was prosecuted in the Magistrate’s Court at Papakura early this week. Defendant (Dr Francis Clough Blundell) was fined £5 and costs, and his licence was endorsed. Inspector F. Jones said in evidence that the doctor’s car reached 64 miles an hour. If took the brewery corner at 58 miles, and had increased to 62 when approaching the monument at Otahuhu. The doctor explained in a letter that while at golf that afternoon he had received urgent advice from Dr J. Dreadon, of Auckland, that his father had had a very serious heart attack, and had asked to see him. Accordingly. he hurried through to the city. Although travelling fast, ho endeavoured to take every care through the townships. His car was a modern one with thoroughly good brakes. Both Dr Dreadon and Dr Gunson, who was also called, could substantiate the statement as to the urgency of the case. His father had rallied, and was now recovering. “The nature of the call was no justification whatever for jeopardising the safety of the lives of other people and the comfort of other users of th° rnnd ” coid (Up magistrate.