TALES OF WOE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 57, 12 July 1913, Page 2

TALES OF WOE.

THE NOUGHT BRIGADE. I

WEEKLY PARADE AT COURT

The usual batcli of informations regarding -breaches of Borough by-laws was dealt with at the Court yesterday by the S.M., Mr W. G. K, Kenrick. A FIRST OFFENDER. F. Rands did not appear to answer a charge of driving a horse and gig in Juliet Street on June 21st. The Inspector stated that the offence occurred at 6.55 p.m. Defendant had no lights at all. The S.M. said defendant had written to the Court stating that he was delayed by having a young horse. He also wrote desiring that his name should not be published. This, said the S.M., was not a matter for the Bench—it was a matter for the press to decide whether the names of first offenders should or should not be withheld.

A fine of 20s, with 14s 6d costs was imposed.

ONLY ONE LIGHT

Lester Mills also failed to appear in respect of a charge of driving a gig without lights in Broadway on June 28th, the time of the offence being 6,40 p.m. Defendant wrote to the Court that he'was carrying one good light.

The usual fine and costs was imA MOTOR CYCLIST.

R. Marsh was charged with riding a motor bicycle, without a light in Broadway at 8.45 p.m. on June 25th. He did not appear. The Inspector said defendant had said his lamp had broken down and thai he had come from Eltham without a light. The S.M. said defendant would escape punishment if he could show that tlie light broke down on the road. In this case defendant' did hot say vhen the breaking occurred'. A fine of 20s with costs 7s was imposed. A TROUBLESOME PIG. E. S. Walker excused himself for driving a horse and dray without lights on July sth on"the ground that !§ss!s bought a pig' at a sale and the mimal escaping from the dray had ■ li&pt»hkiidatejin getting home. .The iceasion in question .was the first on which he had "been ,oul{' after "dark with his dray. \ ( r )■-.':. ■'h'..The S.M. said that in <tnVy circuit aid make' the'fine lighter than usual—sß .and costs 7s: But all thfi same tlie people jwoyild have to car'-y lights,-for .use in such icivcumstanres.

THE FULL FINE. E. C. Frost pleaded guilty to an offence in Ceiia Street on June 30th. He explained that he had been in the back country, and had broken a spring, which it took two hours to get mended. This made it late when •he* got home. 'V 1 \i..'.".. .. ..■.''., iS.Bßfee full penalty of 27s was imposed, lis was also done in the case of A. McMillan, who caught the Inspector's eye -at 6.5 p.m. on June 30th.

NO FINE IMPOSED. M. B. Fryday pleaded guilty to driving a horse and gig in Broadway on the evening of July sth with insufficient lights.

He explained that he had two lights on the gig, but that one had gone out. He drove on very quietly after the lamp went out. The S.M. said that in the circum-

stances he would enter a conviction

without fine; but defendant should in fixture seo that his lamps were alight.

Defendant said he would be careful in future, and he was very sorry he had offended, on this occasion. "MISTAKEN IDENTITY."

Robert Methven, a resident of Eltham, pleaded not guilty to a charge of driving a gig without lights through Broadway on July 6th at 8.15 p.m. r The Inspector gave evidence that he accosted a man in a gig who gave the name of Robert Methven. The night was dark and he could not. see the man in the gig, so that he could not say if defendant was he. Defendant gave evidence that he visited Stratford on July 6th, but reached his home at Eltham about 7 o'clock. Another witness stated that defendant had arrived home about 7 o'clock, and another gave evidence 1 of seeing him before the Eltham Post Office about a quarter past eight.

The S.M. said that if defendant's evidence was correct it was a cigar case of somebody having used his name—otherwise it was an equally cfear case of perjury. Defendant's name was not a common one, and it seemed likely that somebody who knew him well had given it to the Inspector. He (the S'.M.) did not believe in ceasing to trouble about a case merely because it seemed trivial. There was a very clear case of divergence of testimony and he believed in sifting such matters as deeply as possible. The Court here adjourned for a- few minutes to allow a further witness 1 to appear for the defence. This witness was George William Haxton, a cadet at" the Stratford railway station. lie stated that he drove down to Eltham with defendant, arriving back in 'Stratford about 8 o'clock. The gig had only one light at the time. There had been two burning but one had burnt ,out. Witness gave the Inspector Methven's name.

The information against Methven was dismissed. Defendant and Ms witnesses did not claim expenses. The S.M. said he had intended to allow expenses, and if that bad been done the Inspector would have had to recover the amount from the party liable.