Truck Hits Cycles: Charge Against Farmer Fails

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 92, 8 September 1948, Page 5

Truck Hits Cycles: Charge Against Farmer Fails

Roger John Corney, Edgecumbe. farmer, was charged with being found intoxicated in charge of a truck in Commerce Street, Whakatane, early in the evening of July 16, and that information was also dismissed on the ground that there was insufficient evidence to support it. Constable Julian presented the Police case and Mr G. Otley-defend-ed. John J. Murphy 'gave evidence that he was cycling home ' about 5.50 that evening when Corney’s truck passed him. He later found it parked with a bicycle udder its front wheels and three men, one of whom was the owner of the bicycle and another Corney, standing near it. The cyclist had blood on one hand, but said he Was alright. Murphy heard Corney offer to take the damaged bicycle, and its owner home, also to pay for repairs. Defendant was talkative and appeared to have “had a few beers,” though his excited manner could have been due to shock. Defendant, in a statement to the Police, had admitted having had six beers that day, but had attributed his collision with the cyclist to dazzle from the lights of oncoming traffic. Mr Otley claimed the evidence of intoxication was very indefinite. His Worship, in dismissing the information, commented there was not sufficient evidence of intoxication and none that defendant was found in a state of intoxication in charge of the vehicle.