THE COURTS

Southland Times, Issue 17764, 24 September 1914, Page 2

THE COURTS

YESTERDAY’S BUSINESS. In tbe Police Court yesterday morning-, Mr T. Hutchison, S.M., presiding, a number of cases were dealt with. George V. Cross, was charged with driving a motor car between sunset and sunrise without lights, and a fine of 10s was imposed. Campbell Hanan was charged with riding a motor cycle in Tay street at an excessive speed as to be a danger to the public, Mr Russell appeared for defendant, who pleaded not guilty, and a good deal of evidence was taken. It was stated by the prosecutor Uiat defendant was riding along Tay street. Another man named William Angus was riding in the opposite direction. When Angus came opposite the Arcade he commenced to turn towards the right side of the road, but before he knew what was happening the defendant, who was alleged to be riding on the wrong side, collided with him, knocking him down and inflicting serious injuries. Mr Russell contended that the accident was the result of a mutual misunderstanding. and after hearing the evidence his Worship said that the charge was summed up in the words: •(Was the speed at which defendant was travelling dangerous to the public?” One witness, a man of experience, said that defendant was travelling at an ordinary rate. The fact that an accident, and a fairly serious one. took place was not more than an element in the case. The defendant said that before the accident occurred lie had reduced his speed to five or eight miles an hour. If he had been (ravelling at in or 20 miles an hour when the accident took place he would have concluded that the speed was dangerous and would have inflicted a line. lYom the evidence before him he concluded that defendant was travelling at an ordinary speed, and he accordingly dismissed the information. A prohibited man named William Fordo was charged with procuring liquor during the currency of the order prohibiting him. Evidence was given by Constable Newman, who said that he was on duty on the railway station on September 10, when the defendant walked on to the station under the influence of liquor. There was no appearance of the defendant, who was fined 20s, with 7s costs. Several cases of failure 1o send children to school were dealt with, but the excuse in each case was ill-health, and the eases were adjourned for a month. (JUVENILE COURT. Four small hoys were brought before the Magistrate in his room and wore charged with breaking telegraph insulators with catapults. After hearing evidence his Worship ordered each of the offenders to pay 6d each toward the cost of defraying the total damage. 2s.