NELSON.—YESTERDAY.

Colonist, Volume L, Issue 12197, 21 March 1908, Page 2

NELSON.— YESTERDAY.

(Before Mr H. Eyre-Kenny, S. M. )

(RIDING WITHOUT LIGHTS

John Davies was charged with riding a bicycle at night on the 19tb ult., on the Haven road, without a light. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Walter Tonkin, police constable, stationed at the Port, stated that at 10.40 p.m. on the 19th ult., he stopped defendant, who was riding a i bicycle without a light, on the Haven road. Defendant did not have a lamp. Defendant stated that be was not riding but was off the bicycle when accosted by the constable. He had a lamp, which was alight from town until pear Lukins'. It was blowing a stiff south-easter, and the moonfjjwas "shining brightly. The lamp blew out, and he pulled up as soon as possible to attend to it. He appreciated the danger of riding without lights, and was always particular io regard to bis bicycle lamp. Hl3 wife was some distance ahead of him when Jio stopped to attend to the lamp. Constable Tonkin, re-called, stated that he saw defendant with a lady, who went on when defendant was stopped. He would not have interfered if the man had a light. He did not notice whether defendant had aTlamp tvit he did uot think he had. *" Vf i.t.ii spoken to defendant said, "It's my own fault: I don't often ride without a light/ He swore that defendant was riding without a light when he accosted him. Thfi Magistrate said as there was a certain amount of doubt he would dismiss the information. Defendant had given his evidence in a straight forward manner, and although he would not say for one moment that the constable's evidence was wrong, it was not sufficient to convict upon.