PASSED STATIONARY TRAM

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 120, 28 May 1946, Page 8

PASSED STATIONARY TRAM

DRIVER OF MOTOR-CAR FINED. “ There was no negligence, but this was a breach of the regulations," said Sergeant W. Tumulty in the Magistrate’s Court, Wanganui, when a motorist, Allan John Stephens, was charged before Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., with passing a stationary tram-car in Victoria Avenue on April 6. A fine of of £l, costs 13s, was imposed. Constable H. J. Nagle said in evidence, that at 10.25 a.m. on April 6 he was standing at the Rutland Hotel corner when an inward bound tramcar stopped at the usual place. At the same time a motor-car pulled out from the kerb and drove past ‘the tram. The doors of the tram were open, but the passengers had not started to alight. Sergeant Tumulty: Are you sure defendant was behind the rear of the tram when it stopped? Constable Nagle: Yes. Motorman M. E. Beck said that just after he had opened the doors the motor-car drove past. He clanged his gong in an effort to attract the driver’s attention, but without success. Defendant, in a statement made to the police in Wellington, said driver’s seat was level with the front of the tram when it stopped. The magistrate: I suppose the only thing that can be said in his favour is that he was travelling slowly? Sergeant Tumulty: That is so.

Commenting that there had been a breach of the regulations, the mtgistrate imposed a fine of 10s.