ROUND THE TOWN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19866, 14 June 1927, Page 6

ROUND THE TOWN

A fine of £2 with costs 10s was imposed on a territorial, J. H. Nicol, yesterday, at the Magistrate’s Court for failure to notify change of address. For allowing cars to stand in the streets at night without lights, several motorists were fine 10s with costs yesterday morning at the Wanganui Magistrate’s Court. For riding a motor-cyclo without a light, Robert Barnes was yesterday fined oss (costs 12s) at the Wanganui Magistrate’s Court. For riding without a reflecting disc he was fined 10s with costs 10s. Heavy weather on the coast held up shipping movements at Wanganui yesterday and no departures were made from the port. The Union Company’s steamer Whangape is to leave for Hobart as soon as weather conditions permit. European and Oriental had common grief at the Wanganui Magistrate’s Court yesterday, in that two defendants had left carts without lights at night. Mah Hoc was fined 15s and costs 10s, while the other defendant, P. O’Connor, was fined 10s, with costs 10s. Early risers yesterday morning had to make use of candles and gas, the alternative being to dress in darkness. The electric power failed about six o’clock, and was off for a quarter of an hour. Milkmen were, in one or two cases, delayed in commencing their rounds. An outbreak of fire occurred at 8.57 o’clock yesterday morning in a Guyton Street residence, through children playing with matches. The Central Fire Brigade answered the call, and the flames, which were located in the sit-ting-room only, were quickly extinguished. Following a motor collision at the corner of Ingestre Street and Victoria Avenue late yesterday afternoon there was the usual earnest debate conducted by the drivers concerned, each apparently being anxious to prove that the other was to blame. In this case, however, there was no great damage done. Rivers and streams on the coast are swollen because of the rain of the past few days, and slight flooding has been reported from some quarters. The ftVanganui River is discoloured as a result of the prevailing conditions, and there is a decided fresh. Creeks in the city area are also well taxed, but no seriems damage has been reported. Yesterday’s violent winds greatly troubled pedestrians and traffic in the city, and the majority of those in the business area kept well in the shelter of the shops. The storm in many instances proved too much of a strain for fences in and around Wanganui, while shrubs and gardens also give evidence of the havoc created. ‘‘ It has been suggested that we should strike a lower rate and chance it,” said a member of the Waitotara County Council at yesterday’s meeting of that body. But wiser counsels prevailed, and after a full discussion, during which the Council’s finances were gone into, the general rates in various ridings were fixed at the same as last year. During the hearing of a case at the Wanganui Magistrate’s Court yesterday it was stated that defendant in a negligent driving action had had four drinks. “He had four drinks,” put in ' the magistrate, Mr. J. S. Barton, ‘‘ if he had only two he probably would have been intoxicated. Two shandies and nearly all lemonade —that’s what does it.” On a charge of speeding in Victoria Avenue, James Reeves yesterday appeared in the Wanganui Magistrate’s Court. A fine of £5 was imposed, with costs 10s and witnesses’ expenses 22s 6d. Mr. J. S. Barton, S.M. stated that the breach was a bad one, and the defendant narrowly escaped having his license cancelled. No appearance was made by John James, who was charged with dangerous driving. Evidence was given by Constable Nairn to the effect that accused had driven his car in a zig-zag manner along Victoria Avenue. A fine of £5, with costs 10s and witnesses’ expenses 15s was the outcome.