MOTORIST CUTS CORNER

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 34, 24 February 1937, Page 4

MOTORIST CUTS CORNER

Offence in Hastings MAGISTRATE IMPOSES FINE A fine of £1 was imposed by Mr J. Miller, S.M., at the Hastings Magistrate's Court this morning on Walter William Moore, who was charged with cutting the corner at the intersection of Heretaunga and Russell streets. He was represented by Mr P. Scannell, and pleaded not guilty. Constable R. T. Bradley said that at 10.30 a.m. on January 22 he was standing at the corner and observed the defendant's car proceeding along Ilussell street. Dr. Moore was the driver, and he turned into Heretaunga street, cutting the corner very badly. Witness took . measurements and afterwards found that the right hand wheei was four feet from the edge of the pavement. The defendant did not put out his arm to signal his intention to turn ; nor did he sound a warning. A car on his right-hand side had to give way. Counsel for the defenc© submitted that the defendant had not been given the opportunity required to provide a defence. He had not been advised of the proceedings until a fortnight later, this being tbe first occasion on which he was made aware that he had committed an offence. In the course of his business the defendant used his car very extensively and probably passed over this intersection about six times a day. Questioned by the Magistrate, Constable Bradley said that there v ere n'o eircumstances justifying the defendant's cutting the corner. There was no car which he had to avoid. Witness merely reported the fact, though he did not see the defendant later. He understood, however, that an attempt was made to notify the doctor. His Worship eaid that he could not see any possible defence. A fortnigiht was not a long time after the offence, and the constable obviously had a clear pieture of the whole incident. No evidenee was called for the defence. A fine of £1, with 10/- costs, was imposed.