LYTTELTON COURT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20614, 15 May 1935, Page 7

LYTTELTON COURT.

Stowaway Found on Maori. • Arthur Stuart Davidson, a labourer, appeared in the Lyttelton Magistrate’s Court this morning before Messrs W. C. Cleary, J.P., and W. D. Gower, J.P., charged with stowing away on the ferry steamer Maori. Evidence was given by the ship’s purser that when searching the vessel at Wellington yesterday afternoon, he found the accused on board. Davidson was ordered off the ship and a steward was put in charge to see that he left the ship. Davidson avoided the steward and later was found by the purser on board the vessel while travelling from Wellington to Lyttelton. Davidson did not appear to be in a state of intoxication. He stated that he must h-ave been in a stupor as the result of drink and must have wandered around the ship not knowing where he was. When accosted by the purser, he had been quite frank about the matter. He did not want to come south, for he should have been at work today in Wellington. The accused was fined £2, in default fourteen days’ imprisonment. Davidson asked the Bench time in which to find the money, but the police objected, stating that accused lied a police record and was a bird of passage. Negligent Driving. Francis Charles Morris, a bank clerk, of Ranfurly. was charged with negligently driving a motor-car in that he failed to give a proper warning end also failed to give way to traffic on the right. Mr R. Twyneham, who appeared for the defendant, pleaded not guilty. Thomas Arthur Mills (Mr Smithson), a taxi-driver, was jointly charged with negligent driving in that he travelled at an excessive speed end failed to give proper warning at an intersection. Mills pleaded not guilty. The charges were laid In respect to a collision which occurred at the intersection of Simeon Quay and Brittan Terrace, Lyttelton, on April 20. The police evidence was that Morris was travelling along Brittan Terrace into Simeon Quay while Mills was proceeding along jn the opposite direction and intended proceeding towards Voelas Road. The cars met at the intersection, which was a very dangerous corner, and in the resultant collision both cars were badly damaged. Morris in evidence said that Mills was travelling at an excessive spend. Morris stated he was at the intersection long before Mills came up to him at 40 miles per hour. Mills gave no warning or indication as to which way he was going. Mills denied that he was travelling at over 20 miles per hour, and in support contended that the impact would have been much more severe and he would not have been able to pull up in 16ft.

After hearing further evidence, the Bench convicted both the defendants and inflicted a fine on each of 10s, with costs.