A MOTOR MISHAP

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1921, Page 3

A MOTOR MISHAP

CHARGE AGAINST DRIVER . AUCKLAND, March 7 A sensational motor smash in Ku T ‘ rangaliape road, at about midnight ot February 14th, was recalled at tht .Magistrate’s Court this morning, wliei tbe driver of the ear, John Herbert Ferguson, was charged with being drunk when in charge of a conveyance Mr .Moody asked the Bench to exercise its jurisdiction under'Section 18 ol the-Offenders Probation Act. It must be confessed, be said, that the accuse.l bad -bad a small amount of liquor, and this fact, and an attempt to evade the safety zone in which the turn was made too quickly, contributed to the accident. 1 Accused, who was on crutches, was still getting treatment at the hospital, and ( ’ counsel considered that the injuries and t reparation that be would have to make ' | good for a broken window, about £SO, j and damage to tbe car .were sufficient p l punishment. Accused suffered from ninI laria, a war disability, and was in reI eeipt of a pension for tbe same, and a conviction might lead to the ciirtails . j nient ol this. Senior-Sergeant Rawle, referring to the accident, explained that the ear was observed travelling at an estimated speed of sixty miles an hour, about 11.4(1 p.m. oil February 11th, with lour occupants, and apparently a tiyc burst and tbe car got out ol control and crashed into tbe verandah posts and plate glass window. One of the occupants had two ribs broken. Mr J. \Y. Poynton, S.M., concurred in the contention that tbe accused had been well punished and that a convie- ( t ion might prejudicially affect his future. Even though his conduct was practically equivalent to inviting tragedy, be did not think there was need for further punishment. As bad been frequently done belong the case would be dismissed under Section 92 ol the Justices of tbe Peace Act.