TOWAGE FEES.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 September 1926, Page 4

TOWAGE FEES.

OAK-OWNER OBJECTS. AUCKLAND, Sept.. 23. An episode of the floods at Mercer inst month, wlieii a submerged road bchind the railway station was obstructed by a motorist, had its sequel at the Magistrate's Court at Mercer, when. William Heavpn was charged with wilfully placing' his ear so as to obstruct the public highway. Mr Wyverit Wilson, S.M., presided. Defendant pleaded not guilty and conducted his own case, while Constable Douglas represented the police. Evidence was given that Heaven, essayed a passage through the flood on August ]2th under his own engine power. Previously he had been told that os was charged for a tow, and double fee if a motorist broke down in the water. Defendant’s car stopped in 2ft 4in of water. A horseman rode up and offered a. tow. He (Heaven) refused to pay 10s and said he would block the road all day if necessary. He was offered a pull hack to dry land free of charge, but both this offer and one to have his car pushed aside were declined. “I asked him,” mid one witness, “if he was waiting for the tide to go out, but got no response.” About 12.30 p.m., when the police arrived, several ears were waiting to pass. Heaven refused to move, and told the constable that the water had stopped him, and it- wns not his fault. He didn’t care, he said, if he was there all night Eventually, under police instructions, the car Was moved aside. An hour of so later, Heaven succeeded in pushing it to the centre of the road again, blocking the traffic and necessitating its removal to the side of the read a. second time.

not going TO BE FLEECED.” William Heaven, the defendant, said In' had (liscusscd the Mercer charges with other motorists when at Rangiriri. and said that' it was an open highway, and he would do the job himself. Nobody told hint the charges at Mercer. His engine stopped in deep water, and a man came alongside and asked if he wanted a tow through. He said, “Yes, for 55,” and got the reply. “Never on your life.” He was under no obligation to those men, and had his own horses at Marantarua. Later in the day he rang up for them. To Constable Douglas: He pushed his car back to the middle of the road, •frying to get. a kick out of the engine on higher ground. He could not move it aside owing to loose metal. Witness went on to say- that the constable himself had taken off his hat and pretended to go round for a collection. as if he did not have the os. Ho had the money, but objected to being fleeced. Constable Douglas strongly denied j witness’s a I leg it ion. He declared that defendant was in such a frenzied state he did not know what he was doing. A lady, ns well as a gentleman. motorist. as a matter of fact, had offered to pay the os, so that they could get past. The Magistrate, in dismissing the ■ case, said that- the car was stopped i through the action of the water, •and

he thought defendant had merely started bargaining with the men. objecting to pay the".ss.