"A WASTE OF TIME."

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2051, 10 September 1920, Page 7

"A WASTE OF TIME."

MAGISTERIAL CANDOUR.

"CHARLIE CHAPLIN" IN COURT.

Driving in a 1903 model ear, of dilapidated appearance, a representation of Charlie Chaplin has been, of recernt (lays, leisurely parading round the city streets, as an advertisement for a picture theatre. The vigilant officials of the Christchureh City Council have kept an eye upon him and this morning Charles, shorn of his facial trimmings, appeared in answer to a charge, of driving a car without a certificate of ability. Mr V. G. Day, S.M., occupied the bench. Mr P. P. J. Amodeo appeared for the defendant, Leonard Doogood, and entered a plea of not guilty. Herbert Macintosh, City Motor Inspector, stated that, at 10.45 a.m., on September 8, he saw the defendant driving an Oldsmobile ear in Cathedral Square. Witness asked him if he possessed a certificate, and defendant replied: "No." To Mr Amodeo: Defendant did not state that an application had been made by the manager of the Liberty Theatre. He did not say that he had driven a car in Australia, nor that he was a visitor to Christchureh.

Mr Day: Is this an advertisement for the Liberty Theatre?

Mr Ainodeo: I don't know, sir. Mr Macintosh brought the ease. (To Mr Macintosh): How was defendant driving the car? Witness: He was sitting in the seat with the steering apparatus in his hand! (Laughter). Mr Amodco proposed calling the defendant to prove that he possessed a driver's certificate in Australia.

Mr Day: It's no good wasting time like this! Had the defendant, a certificate of ability in New Zealand'? That's the point. If he had a certificate in Australia, Mr Macintosh would have endorsed it here probably. You are only wasting time! The defendant stated that he had possessed certificates in England and Australia. Ho had six certificates in his personal luggage at his hotel. As for the car, he didn't think it could be called one. It didn't go more than five miles an hour and it was over 17 years old.

Mr Day (to Mr Amodeo): I don't see why you couldn't have pleaded guilty and made a short explanation! All this has been waste of time! Defendant will have to pay costs. A charge was preferred against the Dominion Motor Co. (Mr K. Twyneham) of permitting a.person not in possession of a certificate of ability to drive a car—the Chaplin chariot having come from there. After hearing the evidence, Mr Day ruled that the company had not hired the car, but lent it. Therefore no permission had been given. The information was dismissed.