IN THE FLOOD

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17147, 24 September 1926, Page 7

IN THE FLOOD

MOTORIST’S DILEMMA REFUSED TO PAY FOR TOW AND APPEARS IN COURT (Special to the Herald.) AUCKLAND, this day. An episode of the floods at Mercer last month, when a submerged road behind the railway station was obstructed by a motorist, had its sequel at the Police Court ..c Mercer, when William Heaven was charged with wilfully placing his car so as to obstruct the public highway. Mr. Wyvern Wilson. S.M., presided. The defendant pleaded not guilty, and conducted his own case, while Constable Douglas represented the police. Evidence was given that Heaven essayed a passage through the flood on August 12 under his own engine power. Previously he had been told that 5s was charged for a tow, and a double fee if a motorist broke down in the water. The defendant’s car stopped in Lift 4in of water. A horseman rode up and offered a tow. Heaven refused to pay 10s, and lie was offered a pull back to dry land free of charge, 'but both this offer and One to have his ear pushed aside were declined. WAITING FOR THE TIDE. “I asked him,” said one witness, “if ho was waiting for tile tide to go out, but got no response.” About 12.30 p.m., when the police arrived, several cars were waiting to pass. Heaven refused to move, and told the constable) the water had stopped him, and it was not his fault. He did not care, he said, if he was there all night. Eventually, under police instructions, the car was moved aside. An hour or I so later, Heaven succeeded in pushing it | to the centre of the road again, blocking : tlie traffic, and necessitating its removal to the side of the road a second time. Wm. Heaven said he had discussed the Merce'r charges with other motorists when at Rangiriri, and said it was an open highway, and he would do the job himsalf. Nobodv told him the charges at Mercer. His engine stopped in deep water, and a man came alongside and asked if he wanted a tow through. He said, “Yes. for 55,” and got the reply. “Never on your life.” TOOK THE HAT ROUND. He was under no obligation to those men, and had his own horses at Mara mama. Later in the day lie. rang up for them. To Constable Douglas life said ho pushed his car back to the middle of the road, trying to get a kick out of the engine on higher ground. He could not move it aside again owing to loose metal, j Witness went on to say that the con- J stable himself had taken off his hat ano ; pretended to go round for a collection, j as if he did not have the ss. He had j the money, but objected to being fleeced. Constable Douglas strongly denied wit -1 ness’ allegation. He declared that the. defendant was in such a frenzied state < that lie did not know what he was: doing. A lady, as well as a gentleman motorist, as a matter of fact, had offered ■ to pay' the ss, so that they could get past.

The Magistrate, in dismissing the case, said the car was stopped through the action of the water, and he thought the defendant had merely started bargaining with the men, objecting to pay the extra ss.