MOTORISTS’ OFFENCES.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 September 1926, Page 2

MOTORISTS’ OFFENCES.

VARIETY OF CHARGES. NEW PLYMOUTH PROSECUTIONS. TELEGRAPH BOY RUN OVER. Prosecutions against motorists occupied a big proportion of the day in the Police Court at New Plymouth yesterday, when Mr. R. W. Tate, S.M., was called upon to hear a variety of charges. In several cases the prosecuting inspector remarked that the informations were laid more as a warning to other motorists than with the object of securing substantial penalties. Remarking that there was no evidence of negligence on the part of the defendant, the magistrate dismissed a charge against Thomas McCullough that on August 24 he drove a car along the Breakwater Road in a manner dangerous to one Samuel Howard Richards. Ihe prosecution arose from an incident, on the evening of August 28 when Richards, a telegraph messenger in the execution of his duty, was knocked down by McCullough. The faets of the ease were very simple, said Sergeant Martin. Defendant was driving along the road at about 6.50 p.m. According to his story he swerved 'to avoid a lady and ran into a boy on a bicycle, knocking him down. The boy was riding a cycle equipped witii a good acetylene light and red reflector. He was knocked down through defendant crossing the road, and bearing right down on him. Defendant explained that he was travelling slowly, and did not see the hoy until he was almost on top of him. He pulled up immediately, and found that the boy was not hurt, so he took the boy and the bicycle back to the post office and reported at once to the police. CAUGHT ON A TRIAL RUN. All arising out of the same circumstances, three charges of riding a motorcycle in Aubrey Street while he was not a holder of a driver’s license, of riding a motor-cycle that was not registered, and of riding a motor-cycle for the use of which a license had not been issued, were preferred against Francis Gray, who explained that the machine had been out of commission for some years. He decided to renovate and get it going again, and was just trying it out for a few yards down the street, to see whether it would go, whe'n the inspector caught him. He could not see how a driver could get a license unless he first learned to ride or drive, and it would not be any use registering a machine until it was ascertained whether the machine would go. Driving without a license was a serious matter, said the magistrate, and one for which he did not intend to impose a light fine. Rather than that he would merely order defendant to pay costs amounting to £1 Is in this case, in view of the explanation given, hut as a general policy lie would impose a substantial penalty in such cases.

PASSING STATIONARY TRAMCAR. John Turich was charged with breaking the by-laws on September 8 in that he- passed with his car on the near side of a tramcar which was at the time stationary for the purpose of taking up or setting down passengers. The conductor of the tram said that the tram had just pulled up at the Mission stop, and was letting down a passenger when defendant approached ill his car from behind. Witness extended his hand and signalled the driver to stop. His signal was disregarded, however, and a lady who had' 1 just alighted would have been run over had she not kept a careful look-out. Defendant said that he did not see any signal to stop, and was not going fast at the time. He did not think the tram was going to stop until it suddenly pulled up, and he then stopped as soon as lie could. A fine of £2 was imposed, costs amounting to 12s. For allowing his ear to stand unlighted in Devon Street on the evening of August 24, Ernest O'Neill was fined £1 (costs 7s). Claud Thomas John Whiter pleaded guilty to driving a motor-car in Brougham Street on the night of August 28 without a light, but pleaded in extenuation that his lights had been interfered with while the car was on the stand in Ariki Street just previously. He was filled 10s (costs 7s).