POLICE COURT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 4591, 4 March 1884, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

Monday, March 3.— Before C. E. Rawson,

Esq., R.M. and T. King, Esq., J.P.

Breach op Public Works Act. — Martin Petrie was charged with having on the 13th February, without lawful authority, caused heavy material, to wit, a chained wheel of a vehicle, to be dragged along the iMangorei Road. — Mr. Samuel conducted the prosecution, and Mr. Roy appeared for the defendant. — James Wade, deposed : On the 13th February, I saw the defendent dragging his vehicle down the Mangorei Hill, with a small load in it. It dragged sis or seven chains, and three times it went into the water tables. It did damage to the road. The Board wished the locking of wheels of drays to be stopped. A resolution was passed by the Road Board to this effect, and notice was sent to the defendant. — Henry King stated that the defendant was in the habit of locking the wheel of his vehicle with a chain, which caused the wheel to drag, and injured the road. The defendent had been warned to stop this practice, but ho did not do so. — J. Elliott, Chairman of the County Council, stated that the 'effect of dragging was to seriously injure tlie road, and it also formed a water table. — For the defence G. H. Herbert and W. Cheffings were called, who stated their opinion that the wheel of the vehicle, when chained, would not cause much damage to the road. — Mr. Roy contended) that the mere dragging of the chained wheel of a vehicle did not come within the meaning of the Act. — The Court stated that a small fiue'would be inflicted on the defendant in order to deter him repeating the offence. — Mr. Roy applied that the full fine of over £5 be inflicted in order that an appeal could be made to the Supreme Court. He stated his client was determined to appeal. — The defendant was accordingly fined £5 Is. and costs. — Leave to appeal was given. This concluded the business.