POLICE COURT

Evening Star, Issue 21753, 22 June 1934, Page 9

POLICE COURT

FRIDAY, JUNE 22. (Before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M.) TRESPASS ON RACECOURSE. John Robertson Parlane (Mr 0. J. Cook) pleaded guilty to a charge of trespassing on 'a racecourse. Detective J. Russell said that on June 4 the defendant was seen in the outside enclosure at Wingatui. When spoken to by Detective Taylor he said he had been granted exemption, and possessed a letter granting him permission to go on a racecourse. He promised to .show the letter to the racecourse inspector the following day, but his statements were found to be untruthful. He had been convicted for assault, wilful damage, and trespassing on a racecourse. Mr Cook said Parlane had visited the racecourse from Milton to deliver a message, but had become interested in the racing. A fine of 40s and costs was imposed. UNLICENSED WIRELESS. For being in possession of unlicensed wireless sets, John Kenneth Robert Begg (Green Island), Michael Joseph Bradley (Waikouaiti) were fined 10s and costs, and Charles John Hobbs (Brighton) was fined court costs (10s). MAINTENANCE. Maurice James Hurring, who did* not appear, was proceeded against by his wife on a complaint for maintenance, separation, and guardianship orders on the grounds of wilful failure to maintain his wife. Mr 0. Stevens represented the complainant, and stated that no money had been paid since proceedings were first taken.— The maintenance officer (Mr J. Garbutt) said that it was fairly clear that the defendant was not availing himself of tho opportunity of going to camp; —The Magistrate made an order for separation as asked for, maintenance was fixed at the rate of 30s a week, and past maintenance at £7 10s. An order for guardianship was also made in favour of the complainant, and defendant was ordered to pay solicitor’s fee (£1 Is). MOTORISTS CHARGED. For operating an unlighted motor van William Millow was fined 10s arid costs, Gordon Russell Stone was fined 20s and costs for driving an unlicensed motor car, and he was convicted only on a charge of being an unlicensed driver. On a charge of negligent driving, Mercy Muir Cameron was fined 30s and costs. Similarly charged, John Alexander William Forrester was fined £3 and costs. Leslie Stewart M'Keicli was fined £2 10s and costs for driving negligently, and he was convicted and discharged for being an unlicensed driver. A charge of driving an unlicensed car against Henry Thomas Pleace (Mr C. M. Barnett) was dismissed. It was proved by the defence that a license was issued at the Mornington Post Office on June 1, but he had not received his plates till June 7. A fine of 30s and costs was imposed on Myrtle Smellie on a charge of negligent driving. CHARGES DISMISSED. Frederick Read Meredith, for whom Mr Mark Hanan appeared, was charged with dangerous driving, and with failing to give way at a street intersection to traffic approaching from his right. The defendant pleaded not guilty. For the prosecution it was stated that the defendant had become involved in a collision with another ear at the intersection of Princes ' street and Moray place, and it was held that the accident was due to his having failed to give way to the other car, which had the right of way.

For the defence Air Hanau submitted that the defendant was driving carefully when the collision occurred. Both cars arrived at the intersection at practically the same time, and the driver of the other car (Constable Timmins), it was contended, was even more to blame for the accident than the defendant.

Evidence was heard, and the Magistrate said that the charge of failing to give way to traffic on the right would be dismissed, as the regulation .was ultra vires at the time the charge was laid. The only question ho was concerned with was whether the defendant was guilty of negligent or dangerous driving. The impression left in his mind, said His Worship, was that the driver of the other car, Constable Timmins, and defendant were both negligent, and if they had both been before him ho would have convicted them both. He thought the best course to adopt was to leave the matter to be adjusted by civil proceedings. The charge of dangerous driving was dismissed.