NEGLIGENT DRIVING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3773, 6 July 1926, Page 54

NEGLIGENT DRIVING.

A DISTRESSING CASE. AUCKLAND, June 30. “This is a most distressing and difficult case," said Mr F. K. Hunt S.M., in tho Police Court, in summing up in a case in which Joseph Mercer was charged with negligently driving a motor-car. The car crashed into a post near Papakura on the night of January 22, Harrv Kingston Booth, one of five passengers, being killed, while another, a woman, lost her sight. “Thf loss of life has become so serious, and there are so many motor cars on the road, that speoding and other offences must be checked,” the Magistrate said. “I am sorry, indeed, to nave to convict Mercer. It is stated that the road where the car came to grief is dangerous, but all roads have danger points, and it behoves motorist© to approach these danger points with the gravest«caution. I say again. I am sorry for Mercer,, but other people must be made to realise that when they come before the court for negligent driving, they must be punished. I would like to let Mercer off, but I have a duty to perform, and punishment. Seems to be the only deterrent.” The Magistrate then sentenced Mercer to one month’s imprisonment, but later, when counsel announced that he had lodged an application for appeal, sentence was postponed until to-morrow. July 1. The sentence was altered to-day to one month and one day to enable an appeal to be made. The Magistrate said defendant was driving the car, which was badly smash 3d. One life was lost, and a girl lost her eyesight. He was sorry for Mercer, but had come to the conclusion that he was not taking the necessary care.