MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 3 May 1927, Page 7

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

TIMARU —MAY 2, 1927. (Before Air C. R. Orr-Walker, S.M. ) DRUNKENNESS. Harry Cox appeared on a charge of drunkenness, ins second offence within six months. A plea of guilty was entered. Senior-Sergeant Gibson said that the defendant had a long list of convictions. A fine of £1 was imposed, the default being fixed at 3 days’ imprisonment. NEGLIGENT DRIVING. Lionel Hayhurst was charged with negligently driving a car along the main road, Pleasant Point, on April 3 0. Defendant, who was represented by Mr J. T. Brady, pleaded guilty. Senior-Sergeant Gibson said that defendant was making a voluntary appearance. On Saturday night he was driving towards Pleasant Point, and when near the Levels Store he ran into two motor cyclists. One of the riders had a collarbone broken, and one of the cycles was damaged beyond repair. Defendant and a companion were talking at the time of the accident, and did not notice the headlights of the cycles. Defendant felt a bump, hut did not think that anything was wrong, blit lie later discovered that his front tyre was fiat. ’The next they knew of him was that lie reported to the police at 1.4 5 on Sunday morning. Mr Brady said that defendant and his companion were talking, as the Senior-Sergeant had said. He was certainly driving on his wrong side, but thought that he would be doing no harm in taking the better side of the road considering that the hour was so late. Defendant was quite willing to make good all the damage. The Alagistrate said that in such cases he preferred to hold over the penalty until after the settlement of a civil claim. According to defendant’s statement he went hack about threequarters of a mile, after finding his tvre flat, to see what had happened. That seemed to suggest Unu either defendant or his companion had a suspicion that they had hit. something.

Mr Brady said that they did not go hack until they discovered a dent in the mudguard, which could not have been done by a stone. The Magistrate said that in view of the fact that defendant would have to pay considerable damage to the cycles, he would order him to pay £lO/10/- to Ernest Steers, the injured cyclist, for personal injury received. This, however, would not preclude Steers from making a further claim, should he not be fully compensated. Defendant was also ordered to pay 7/- Court costs.