MAYOR MISSING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17009, 6 April 1923, Page 8

MAYOR MISSING.

, » WANTED AS WITNESS. AND HAS TO FAY COSTS. “ Dr Thacker!” The voice of the Court orderly reverberated down the musty passage-way in the Court this afternoon. The breeze stirred the falling leaves in the courtyard outside, and a motor horn “honked” some distance off. There was no appear nee of the City’s chief magistrate. The charge had been read: “Alfred W. Smith. You are charged with fail ir-g to signal when turning a motor car in the street.” Mr F. W. Johnston stood up expectantly, ready to defend his client. * 1 Dr Thacker!' : The Court records piled up at the hack of the room went on collecting dust. “ There is a subpoena here for DiThacker, the informant in the case, but he liasn t turned up,” said the clerk. “Why isn’t your witness here?” asked the Magistrate of the city motor ami traffic inspector (Mr H. Alacintosh), who was conducting the case. “ 1 don t know, sir,” he replied. “ I ask for costs,” said Mr Johnston, with a flicker of a smile on his face. The flicker illuminated numerous other flickers. “My client has been waiting all the morning,” said Air Johnston. “ 1)0 you. want an adjournment to get your witness?” asked the Magistrate of Air Alacintosh. All* Alacintosh said that he had been out of town. It was not till that morn - ing that he had found that Dr Thackei was a witness in the case. Air Johnston: Dr Thacker is really the instigator of the whole proceedings If he stays away, the case should b.> dismissed. The inspector is merely acting under his instructions. It is tlio doctor’s duty, not only as the chief wit ness, hut as Mayor of “the citv. to couv* along.” “It is rather an unusual position, isn’t it?” said the Magistrate. “If there is one man who should take care of the city by-laws, it is the Mayor. On* would think so. Anyway, he has sent me no word, and in file meantime vo.j cannot go on. I think the defendant n within his rights in having the case dis missed without prejudice. It is dis missed without prejudice. He is under no obligation to be brought here twice.” The Magistrate allowed the defend ant 5s witness’s expenses and the solicitor 10s 6d expenses against the i*: formant. This upholding of the city’s by-laws be uncertain and unprofitable work!