“HIT AND RUN" ATTITUDE

Taranaki Daily News, 18 September 1934, Page 2

“HIT AND RUN" ATTITUDE

£4 FINE FOR BREWERY EMPLOYEE.

NEW PLYMOUTH TRAM COLLISION.

William John Pritchard, whose address was given as Dominion Breweries Ltd., Auckland, was fined £4 and costs 13s in the New Plymouth Magistrate’s Court, New Plymouth, yesterday for negligent driving at New Plymouth oh August 7. Pritchard’s car struck a tram-car in Fitzroy Road, and Pritchard did not stop. Sergeant S. G. Clist said the right front step of the tram had been torn off. The motorman, Tozer, and the conductor had been unable to take Pritchard’s number’ because of the fast speed at which the car was travelling. The police was notified and the car located in a garage. It had the right front wheel buckled and tyre punctured and other damage done. At the police station next day Pritchard stated he had felt a slight bump. Photographs taken of the car gave some idea of the “slight bump.” Pritchard had driven .into town with a punctured tyre. Asked why he had not stopped Pritchard said he did not think it necessary as no-one was injured. The attitude Pritchard evidently adopted was that of a “hit and run” motorist who thought he was able to get away with it, Pritchard stated he did not see the tram so it would have been impossible for Pritchard to say whether anyone in the tram had been injured or not. He had been confidentially informed that there was a suggestion of liquor though he had no evidence of this. On the facts it appeared that this was the only thing which could be made out of the case. Pritchard had not waited to see what happened and he agreed the penalty should be heavy said Mr. W. H. Woodward, S.M.