SPEEDING ON PAPANUI ROAD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19878, 20 February 1920, Page 5

SPEEDING ON PAPANUI ROAD.

—A DOCTOR BEFORE THE

COURT.

PARENT AS INFORMANT. Dr Gerald Russell was the defendant in a case heard at the Magistrate's Court, to-dny. before -Mr V. G. Day, S.M., the charge being preferred against him of driving a motor-oar along Papamu Hoad, on January 29. at a speed dangerous to the public. The information was laid by the police at the instance of John L. Lillicoo, an auctioneer, of Christchurch.

Ihc informant in evidence stated that at the time, of the alleged offence ho mas walking along Papanui Road. Ho saw tiie defendant driving his car at a dangerous speed—he would say it was travelling at forty miles an hour. He had had considerable experience with motors and was quite sure about the speed, also as to tile identity of the defendant.

To the defendant: There was the usual traffic on the load at the time. Ho had been watching the defendant so closely that he did nut remember every vehicle on the road at the time, but there was a baker's cart, an express, and a tramcar at the corner of Office Road, about 300 yards awav.

Hie defendant was questioning the witness as. to what danger there was to the traffic on the road at the time by hi s alleged speeding, when the Magi strati- interposed that it was the possibility of danger than was the point. ilierc were numerous cross streets in the locality.

In reply to a question by the defendant as to why ho had laid the information, the informant said that on the nay previous to the defendant’s offence tmo of his children had been nearly run over by a passing motorist. He had complained to the sub-inspector, and bad been asked if ho had seen anvom.1,1 Particular speeding. He, then gave the information against defendant. The defendant:"What benefit will it be to your tw 0 children if I am convicted ?

itnc?s: It may lie a warning to others.

The, defendant gave evidence that he had no recollection of the alleged oft once. Ho had heard nothing about. ;5° information until eighteen days a*ter its alleged occurrence. Ho passed up and down Papauui Road probable-twenty-live times a day. He was a careful driver. The police, he conMcierod, could take r-arc of tlio roads without, the aid of laymen. He might have been: going faster than usual at the time, but he would swear he was not travelling at forty miles an hour It he wore going faster than usual he might have, been hurrying to someone’ seriously ill.

To Sub-lnspcct-or Dew witness admitted that he had been, before tho V ourt; previously on a charge of speeding—at .Yew Brighton, “when I was travelling at six miles an hour.” “ I say that this man is actuated bv animus because his two children were nenrlv run over,” said the defendant. \ (le ’M' y* o allegation of speeding.” A fine of '4os and costs? was imposed.