TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 293, 9 April 1941, Page 5

TRAFFIC OFFENCES

MOTORISTS IN COURT

OFFENDING CYCLISTS

Both the Police and the Transport Department prosecuted offenders of the traffic regulations at the local Court yesterday, when Mr E. L. Walton, S.M., was on the bench. Owners of cars avlio had not renewed certificates of iitness were as usual prominent in the charges, while evidence that a keen lookout has been kept on general traffic with a vicAV to ensuring safety for the public during the blackout was borne out when a number of fines were inflicted for th« riding of foicj-cles without lights.

Cyclists in Trouble,

Prosecuted by the Police Jean Mueller was fined 5s with costs "s for not having a light on her bicycle Other offences of a similar nature were dealt with when Inspector J. H. Delves proceeded against Cyril Walker, the fine being 5s with costs 13s; E. J, Scorringi. lined 5s with costs 10S and William Higgins, the penalty being 5s with costs 10s. No Warrants. For operating a car without n warrant of fitness Tai Wharewera was penalised 10s with costs 225; Albert Edward Roy Jones was fined 10s and 12s costs; Kahu Tihi 105, and 17s respectively; Pcirapai Bicldlo 10s and 17s; Vernon Cameron Miller 10s with 12s costs and Jacob Tarua 10s and 15s. The last named Avas also charged with driving without clue care and attention and was penalised £1 with costs amounting to 10s. Unlicensed Carrier. Charged with carrying goods while not being the holder of a license Thomas Hunt was charged by Inspector Delves and was fined £3 with costs 10s. Might Have Been Dangerous. For driving a car in a manner which might have been dangerous to the public F. I. Gartshore 'was charged by Inspector Delves. The information Avas that Avhile the Inspector had been travelling along Commerce Street and meeting an approaching car the defendant had cut betAveen the tAvo for a short time making three cars abreast on the road.

The defendant stated that he had been under the impression that the inspector's car was stationary.

Stating that a driver should know the difference between a moving and stationary car the Magistrate in-* fiicted a fine of £1, the costs being 12s. Heavy Traffic Breach. The County Council's Traffic Inspector, Mr Calling, charged David James Hamilton with driving a heavy traffic vehicle at a speed exceeding 25 m.p,h. The penalty was £2 with costs 10s. Drunk in Charge. As a sequel to an accident which, occurring in Goulstone Ho ad some weeks ago, was the cause of a poiml pole being broken otT and live wires released on to the road, "Romann Ratima appeared in the Court charged by the police with being drunk in charge of a motor lorry. Conducting the prosecution. Sergeant M. Farrell stated that as a result of enquiries following the accident it had been established that the offender had had, on his own admission, eight glasses of beer at the Whakatane Hotel before driving

Conducting the prosecution. Sergeant M. Farrell stated that as a result of enquiries following the accident it had been established that the offender had had, on his own admission, eight glasses of beer at the Whakatane Hotel before driving his lorry. He had also been seen by two people, who stated that, when loading the vehicle, he had been quite intoxicated. The Sergeant stated that it was unfortunate that the Police had not been notified of the accident until some time after it had occurred and the culprit had left. Thus they had not been able to examine the man. He further added that the accused had already been fairly heavily penalised as damage to the power pole would entail over £30.

Appearing for Ratima, Mr B. S, Barry, stated that the man had a good reputation farming his 46 ncres -well and seldom coming to town. However, on this occasion he had met friends and had had some drink although the degree of intoxication was only slight. The accident had been the result of the accelerator of the truck jamming, nnd when the driver reached to release it the vehicle went off the road at a bend which would lend itself to such a mishap.

Pleading for a light penalty Mr Barry stated that Ratima had already * undertaken to pay the £37 damage done, was a married man with six children and was a rcturn'Confcinsir*'! foot of next column)

Ed soldier who during over four years overseas service had been severely wounded.

In penalising the defendant to the extent of a £15 fine with costs £1 17s, and cancelling his licence Cor 12 months, His Worship stated that the monetary loss was the result of the man's own folly and the court had to deal with the fact thai his behaviour had been dangerous to other users of the road. Careless Driving. Another Police case cajie forward when L. J. Fisher was charged with driving a car without due care and attention. The case was a sequel to an accident which occurred on Fortune's Road when it was alleged the defendant cut a corner and caused a severe collision. Fortunately only two people, in the other car had suffered minor injuries. The defendant appeared and pleaded guilty, the line imposed being £1 with costs 15s. Unregistered! Tractor. Owen Louaine Davies was charged with operating an unregistered road machine, for having no driver's license and driving on the road an unregistered tractor. On the first charge lie was fined 5s with costs 12s, a similar fine with costs £1 2s, and on the third 5s and costs 12s. It was explained that the defendant had found that a stream over which he had to take his cream was too high for the usual dray and thus to save going four miles byroad he had driven the tractor across. These facts were considere in the fixing of penalties.