MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1928, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

THIiItSDAY, .MAY MHi,

(Before AY. Meidrum, Esq., S,AI.) MOTOR. CAR COLLISION. Tho Police charged William Harold IS haw,, a commercial traveller (Air Al urdoch) with being intoxicated while in charge of a motor car which he was driving. Air Al urdoch pleaded guilty and made an appeal to the Court for leniency stating that this was the first occasion lie had been before the Court for any trouble. He had been driving for many years in the course of his business and had not had any trouble before. While driving through from Greymouth lie' had had a drink or two that had apparently' been too strong for him. He pointed out that liis client was liable for the damage done to the other car and any claim for damages to the occupants that might be sustained and asked for such leniency as was possible. Sergi. King stated that shortly after 5 o’clock the previous evening Mr James Brown, a taxi driver of Greymouth, loft Hokitika with a party of hockey girls for Greymouth. When nearing Sea A’iew with a straight road and fully 24 feet wide he saw the car of defendant coming towards him with, full lights on. Brown gave the approaching car all the sea room he could and carried on to Hie side Of the road. The defendant was coining in an erratic course and when almost abreast ol Brown’s car the ace,used steered sharply to tilio right, and made a head on collision. It was the greatest of miracles that no one was killed. Air Brown s front wheels, mud guard and running hoard was smashed to smithereens and a door was ripped oil while Shaw’s ear was also badly smashed, the I rout wheel, mudguard and running board being (qually damaged. The police were advised and went nut to tile scone. They I'minO tin- accused was visibly in a state ol intoxication. He was taken to the police- station, and at his request was attended by a medical man, who on inspection found lie was intoxicated. He was arrested and was hailed out lour hours later. Luckily no one was injured, hut it was a miracle that all escaped. Accused was an absolute stranger. Considerable damagi? was done to hath cars as stated. There were two other occupants of Shaw’s tar. Mis Worship said it was evub’iil that accused was an experienced driver. He looked on the present accident as due- entirely to his having had an excess ol liquor. His work made it almost a necessity for him to drive a car, and lie hoped lie would profit by tho present accident and avoid drinking in future while in charge ol a car. He was liable to make goad the damage to the other car and the occupants. It was a serious state to be in a state of intoxication ill charge of n car 'thereby endangering life. Ho wiMihl, take into consideration the tact that he was an experienced' driver and would convict and infiiet a line of £lO and costs £1 Is, hut would not endorse his license.

The application of Afr Alurdoch for an order for suppression of his name was refused bv the Alagistrale. LICENSING ACT.

On charges of being on licensed premises after hours two residents (Commercial Hotel) were ordered to pay costs 10s each. DEBT CASES. Judgment for plaintiff by delimit was given in the following cases: — (!. T. AVoolliouse (Mr Elcock) v. Win. O’Brien, claim L'IS 1.9 s Id, with costs £2 16s. M. Delbridge (.Mr Elcock) v. Ernest Longley, £2 10s. with costs 23s

C. T. Woodlouse (Mr Fk'ock) v. Dennis Johnson (Mr .Murdoch), judgment summons Lit 19s Id. After hearing defendant who stated lie luid done no work for practically live years the application was refused. MAINTENANCE. lfom-y Reid charged with failure- to pay a maintenance order, arrears being C 33 3s (id. No appearance. Mr Murdoch for applicant stated that the defendant had already served a term of imprisonment tor failure to pay. Convicted and sentenced to three months with hard labour in Greyinouth orison.