Fines In Levin Court For Traffic Offences

Chronicle (Levin), 10 July 1948, Page 7

Fines In Levin Court For Traffic Offences

Arlsin'g . from. an accident ' at Weraroa, in which a girl cyclist was struek "by a car, Arthur Edward Clausen, company director of Palmerston North, was charged in the Magistrate's Court, Levin, yesterday with -driving: the vehicle without due, care and attention. Mr. H. J. Thompson, S.M. presided. Sergeant W. Grainger stated that defendant had. been driving a new car from Wellingtori to Palmerston North, and there was no suggestion that he was dfiving at other than a nofmal speed. The chiid had received some injuries to the head, and defendant had stopped the vehicle within a short distance.Appearing for defendant, Mr. A. B. Loughnan, of Palmerston North, said that his client was taking delivery of a brand hew/car, and in consequence was travelling ,at an abnormally low speed. He had frankiy a'dmitted that he had not seen the cyciist. lie had been driving against the sun from Wellington and his visibility was affected by the setting sun. He had been' driving since the early days of motor vehicles, and had never before been involved in an accident. It was quite obvious that there were special circumstances in this case, and the incident had been an unfortunate one, said the magistrate when imposing a fine of £2. Court costs were 10s. Passed on Intersection Charged with passing another vehicle on an intersection, Dianah Grisdale Roe, of Hammond's Line, Rongotea, was convicted and fined £2. Court costs were 10s. Called by Sergeant Grainger, Constabie A. T. Keik said he had been crossing the intersection at the post •ffice pedestrian crossing, in Oxford Street, when he saw two cars approachmg from the south. About 20 feet from the crossing the leading vehicie's driver gave a signal indicating his intention of turning into Queen SAeet. The car following speeded up and began to pass and completeiy overtook it. The driver of the leading car applied his brakes suddeniy, otherwise a: cohision would have occurred. Constabie Keik added that he had taken the number of the oifending vehicle. In a letter to the court, defendant pleaded guilty. Driving Without Due Care Driving without due care and attention in Weraroa Road, Levin, was the charge preferred against Melville Roy Chirnside Ta"ylor, of Levin. He was represented by Mr. J. P. Bertram and entered a piea of guilty. Sergearit Grainger told the court that defendant was turning into Bath Street from Weraroa Road on Saturday, June 19 and had overturned the vehicle. He suggested that the vehicle was travelling too fast. Defendant had t-old him that as he was turning the corner another vehicle approaching him lailed to dip .its. ,JLigbts. ' For defendant, Mr. Bertram said that the vehicle was travelling at 20 m.p.h. It was of light build and consequehtly tipped easily. A fine of £2 was imposed. Court costs were 10s. * Accident Sequel Defendant had only been in possession of a driving licence for two months prior to the accident, said Sergeant Grainger when prosecuting Henrietta Rqbert Macdonaid for. failing to keep her vehicle as near as practicable to the left-hand edge of the roadway. He added that defendant was driving along MacArthur Street and at the corner of Bartholomew Road had swung out too far and collided with another car. "I think perhaps she was inexperienced and a little over cautious," he added. Appearing for defendant, Mr. N. M. Thomson said that the day in question was his client's first excursion in the car. She had thought the wheels were a littie too close to a deep ditch 'and had brought the car over too far. She was driving slowly at the time. Under the circumstances the case warranted leniency, said the magistrate when convicting and fining defendant 10s. Court costs ■ were 10s. Arlsing out of the same accident, William Henry Rolf Wilson, driver of the other vehicle, was charged with faiiing to be in possession of a driver's licence. Appearing for defendant, Mr. Bertram said that it was unfortunate for his client that there had been a collision. Defendant had at one time been in possession of a licence, but had sold his car and recently purchased another. He had overlooked obtaining a fresh licence, but had now attended to this. He was convicted and fined 10s. Court costs were 10s. '