COLLISION WITH CATTLE

Wairarapa Daily Times, 25 June 1936, Page 7

COLLISION WITH CATTLE

| CHARGE AGAINST TRAVELLER. A FINE IMPOSED. At thef S.M. Court this morning, before Mr H. P. Lawry, S.M., Percy R. Goodman., traveller, of Auckland, was charged jvith having driven a car in a manner dangerous to the public on 19th March. The police stated that at 11 a.m. on 19th March, Clarence Robert Jones, a drover, was driving cattle from Mt. Bruce to Masterton, and at the junction of Mt. Bruce and Rangitumau roads, defendant drove down the hill; towards Masterton at a speed estimated at 40 to 45 miles'per hour. No warning was given for the drover to make a passageway through the cattle. Defendant collided with two beasts and one had to be shot on the spot. Defendant did 1 not stop. Another motorist chased defend-, ant, and had to do up to 60 miles an to catch defendant. This rnotorcaught up to defendant, who had stopped about three miles further on,, and was examining his car. Taking defendant ’s number, this motorist rcturnPed and advised the . drover.. . Evidence was given for plaintiff Robert Jones, drover, and Wm. Arthur* Tagg, share-milker, of Rangitumau. Mr G. D. Wilson, for the defence, said defendant was coming along probably at 45. miles por hour, just before the hill, and as he came on the hill he reduced to what he considered was 20 to at 45 miles per hour, just before the reduced further as he came down. As he came down the hill he saw the cattle strung out. A number were almost In single file on the right side, and further down there was an opening. . Just as he went to go through the bullocks converged. He did not think he had done any serious damage to the bullocks, and did not stop. When he stopped further down the road lie found he had damaged mudguards. He did not think he had hit the cows hard. Defendant did not go back, but counsel submitted that it had no bearing on the damage.

, The Magistrate said it seemed to him ■kthat defendant was driving too fast, ▼and the fact that he did not see the drover showed he was not keeping a proper look-out. It would have been more appropriate if the charge had

been negligent driving, not in a manner dangerous to the public. Defendant was convicted and fined £3 and £2 15s costs.