MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1929, Page 3

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

GREYAIOUTH, April 9. AYIRKLESS LICENSE. At the Alngistrate’s Court yesterday before Air Aloldrum, S.AL, -Charles Cullen, who did not appear, was charged that he was in possession ol ;i wireless receiving set, at Otira on Feb•irv 27, without being the holder of a license. Inc senior-.-sergeant stale* that defendant had written, intimating his intention of pleading guilty. He had been prosecuted previously, but had got out of it on that occasion by pleading Shat the set was partly dismantled. The S.AL convicted and lined defendant 10s, with 18s costs. FAILURE TO STOP. Knocked down by a motor-car in Taimii Street, about 9 p.m. on February 14, Francis George Cooper, butcher, regained consciousness in tbe Grey Hospital. 'Pile driver of tbe ear, Fred Eric Cox. an oil salesman, of Greymouth, was charged with (I) dangerous driving, and (2) failing to maintain control of a motor vehicle. He was represented by Air W. J. Joyce, and pleaded not. guilty. The S.AL said there was no doubt that defendant was not in complete control of the car at the time the accident happened. He saw no traffic, and ho pedestrians, and therefore took the risk of closing the door wilbom stopping his car to do so. There was no doubt that lie was not in complete control of tbe ear, as required by Pmregulations, and it was due to that fact that, tbe accident happened. Cooper appeared to have suffered a- great deal bqt that was a matter for civil action ln view of that, added the-S.AL, be did not propose to inflict a heavy pen ally. Tbe thing was not deliberately done, but it was a breach of Hie regulations by Cox, in not having complete control of bis car. On the charge of failing to maintain control, be would be convicted and fined C2, with IGs costs, and witness’ expenses Ids. Mr Dongan did not claim expenses. The charge of dangerous driving was withdrawn. ALLEGED CATTLE STEALING. The theft of a Jersey heifer, valued at £4, the property of ATaurice Flynn, farmer, of Ilnkarere. on or about January 1, 1929, was alleged against Edward Arthur •• Lemon, farmer, also of Ilnkarere. Accused pleaded not guilty and elected to be dealt with summarily. The S.AI. said the Case had its foundation in the .somewhat' loose arrangement made between the parties regarding Hie cattle. There appeared to have been some argument as to what cattle, and bow many’, were to replace tbe original eleven cows and .nine calves,- which. ..FlyAjrt' .had obtained. From that point, the..evidence was in dispute. Tn any case, the heifer, whether taken with Flynn’s consent or without it, was running on the adjoining farm of Lemon. The fences were down, allowing cattle, fj:om one farm t/' wander over the other. “Tt does not appear tn me to he a case in whion H criminal law should he made use of.’* concluded Air Afcldrum. “If there is anything between tbe parties, it is a matter which should be tried In the Civil Court. That being so, tlice :■ only one course to take, and dismiss the information.”

SEQUEL TO COLLISION. Although liis car collided with another when passing it on the road between Kokiri and Arnfikn on Alarcli 12. Francis Henry Rowse, of Kntnku. failed to stop. Tie was proceeded against by Traffic Inspector A. J. Sloss on two charges: (1) Negligent driving, and (2) failing to stop after an accident. Air J. AY. Hannan, who represented Hie Traffic Inspector, explained that the cars were passing on a narrow road, and they touched, slight, damage being done to the other car,, driven In- Al. L. TTallinnu. Defendant slmiiH have stopped, but few motorists were aware of that provision in the regulations. Inspector Sloss said that deleml ant’s car struck the other vehicle and damaged the mudguard. AVhcn interviewed, defendant hardly knew thaf he had touched the other car. The S.M.: Nobody was injured?— Defendant was convicted and fined in. with £1 costs, 011 tll, ‘ ( ' ,ial “ < ' of failing to stop. The negligent dnv ing Dim-go was withdrawn.