SUNDAY DRIVING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2087, 22 February 1894, Page 22

SUNDAY DRIVING.

At the Port Chalmers Police Court on Tuesday before Messrs J. Elmer and A. Thomson, J P's., John Simmonson was charged with driving a waggon and team of horses on the Main road, Blueskin, on the 18th inst. — Mr Fraser appeared for the defendant, and pleaded not guilty.— Constable Hastings stated that about 6 30 p m. on Sunday last defendant drove a team of 1U horses and waggon loaded with wool through the township at Blueskin. Wit? ne*s had previously cautioned df-.funriant about driving" on Sundays, and also camping in the township near the hotel and remaining there for two or three days — Mr Fraser contended that section 16 of the net under which the information was laui rufe red to trades or callings, and he did not thiuk the act was ever intended t • apply to carriers. Live stock could be driven through the township, therefore defendant could have driven his team along the road for water, and no more harm could be done by having a waggon attached to them. Jt was a work of necessity for the defendant to push on to Dunedin with hia load. — Defendant stated that when he left Ida Valley he was under an agreement to deliver the load of wool in Dunedin in time for the wool sale, but owing to bad weather he was detained on the road, and was short of feed for the horses, as he

was not able to get any at Waikouaiti, which place he left on Sunday morning. It was dangerous to camp at Waitati, and he could only get a bag of chaff at Evansdale ; therefore it was necessary for him to push on to the Upper Junction, where there was plenty of grass and camping ground.— Their Worships were of an opinion that an offence had been committed, but thought a small penalty of 53, with costs, would meet the case.