MOTORIST SLAPPED

Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1929, Page 1

MOTORIST SLAPPED

SEQUEL IN COURT

GREYMOUTH. April 23,

I’iuprickiiig tactics on the part ol a motorist tried the patience of tin Traffic Inspector on race day at Klima ra recently, with the icsult that lie dealt the offender a smack across the lace. The sequel was ho'rd in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, when Uertiaiii Frederick Spiers was charged with failing to give his name and ad dress to llie Traffic Inspector when called upon to do so. and failing to produce his license when requested. Spiers was also charged with using insulting language; and Albert J. Floss (Traffic Inspector) was charged, with assaulting Spiers. The .Magistrate. reviewing tlie charges against Spiers, said it war quite clear from the evidence that lie had not produced his iitenxo when called upon to do so. On that eharg. ho would lie convicted and fined .“>• with costs. In regard to the charge oi not giving his proper name and addross—Spiers had given liis initialand address and had. apparently considered that that was sufficient. This did not strictly comply with the Sta'ule, but he would accept his explanation. Concerning the more xenon i barges—-I hat Spiers had used insult mg language, evidence to that dice had been corroborated by f oiistnbk bail'd, and that was quite sufficient 1cstablsih the fact in his mind that tbprovocative words had been used There was no doubt that the word were provocative. He was taking all the facts into consideration—that it was a Imsy day for the Inspector, who was Irving to hurry matters througU in time for the races-—there was no doubt that be was ‘“on edge.’ He bad been asked to treat the charge** under Sect ion 92 of the Act. as a trivial matter, and (leal with the ra*o without convicting. It was a case a single ear being attended to, am 1 the Inspector was working under high pressure. H was not a tiling to Vencouraged, but he (the Inspector' had been so very Irank about the matter and had expressed regret immediately after it happened. Taking aP the' facts into consideration. Inthought it was a case which cam--under that sertion of the Act. It wa •hi excusable thing on the part of tbInspector. .Spiers was not hurt-- R was not a blow with a closed list, hut more like an involuntary expression of anger. He would dismiss the ease against Sloss. but must say that be was going as far as he could in the matter, as being an official he wn ■ supposed to exercise restraint. Tn treating the charge of assault in the wav lie had done lie was practicallv compelled to deal with the othecharge in the same way. and taking into 'consideration the curt manner of the Inspector towards Spiers, be thought lie would he serving the oiks of justice in doing so. 'I he Police, however, were thoroughly justified in bringing the cases before the Court. Mr Murdoch applied for costs f<>Spiers, hut his request was refused.