TRAFFIC OFFENDER

Hokitika Guardian, 7 November 1930, Page 2

TRAFFIC OFFENDER

LANGUAGE IX COURT

CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 6

Otira Opie was charged before Air 11. P. La wry, S. A!., in tlie Alagistrate’s Court yesterday: (1) That on Uctober 25, being the driver of a lie failed to allow an inspection of his brakes; (2) that lie drove m a manner dangerous to the public; and (3) refused to give bis name to a triffic inspector. Opie’s license was cancelled and he was prohibited from obtaining another for a year. He was ordered to pay costs.

The charges were laid by Sydney Francis Napper, traffic inspector lor the Heathcote County Council.

“Not guilty to all the charges,” announced Opie, when the first charge ,vas read.

Air Napper said that on October 25 he -,vas standing at the corner of Page’s mcl Breeze’s Roads, and saw Opie pass mother car on the intersection at an estimated speed of twenty-five miles m hour. Inspector Blew.tt, of New frighton, was in the second car. Witness got on his motor-cycle and rode ’On yards down the street calling on Opie to stop. Opie took no notice until lie called more determinedly. IT’S A LIE.” ■ “How do you know I was going at twenty-five nv.los an hour?” asked Opie, The Magistrate: He has already said it was only an estimate,

“It’s a lie, a straight-out lie,” said Opie. The Magistrate: You are not go ng to speak to a witness in this Court like that.

Defendant: All right, sir. Then it’s purely imaginary what you said (to Mr Napper). What did I say when you stopped me ?—You said that “It’s not a fair thing for anyone to come up and say, ‘l’ll stop your car/ is it.?”

The Magistrate. He was telling you to stop it. Frederick Blewitt, traffic inspector at New Brighton, went into the box to give evidence. Defendant put his fingers to his ears and leaned disgustedly over the back of the seat. “Don’t hurt my head,” he said, “or I’ll bash everybody. And remember I’m Air Opie to you. You are no friend of mine.”

Tlie Magistrate you keep quiet Mr Blewitt: I don’t think he is fit to drive a car. On one occasion I saw him driving his car on a section, and I though at the time that he was not fit to be in charge. I still think so. INCIDENT IN CARAGE. William Gordon O’Neil, garage proprietor at New Brighton, said that Opie came in on one occasion for petrol, driving in an erratic manner, One of his assistants leaned against the car and Opie pushed him off violently. Opie had no money to pay for the petrol.

“Shut up, or I’ll bash you one,” said

Opie. Witness added that when Opie was asked if he had anything he could leave in lieu of payment fo rtlie petrol he said he would leave the car itself.

“I can’t hear what he says,” said Opie. “Shut up will you, or I’ll hash you.”

The Magistrate: I heard him all right. Opie: I won’t have people in my car I didn’t know i.t was one of his ass stnnts that I pushed. Its my car and it gave me a pain in the head to see him put his hand on it. It made me sick. I’m keeping the whole of the garages round the town going with that car. COMPLAINT TO POLICE.

Constable Henderson, of New Brigh-

ton, said that on October 25 he received a complaint about Opie annoying women in South Brighton. Opie: You can't talk to a woman these days. The constable, continuing, said that he went to see Opie over the matter and he appeared to he 'l’airlv ratonal then. He went to see Opie three times alter that, Out could not find him, and had to serve a summons at 5 a.m. “lie lives at New Brighton,” said witness. “He has four sheets of iron on tlie flat and he crawls under them at night. He is now building a garage.” Ope: l think most people have a set on me. I have been away in the country and I never got into trouble there. The Magistrate: Do von want to go in the box and give evidence?—l’ll go in the box, lut 1 won’t be sworn if you don’t mind. Opie later decided to go into the box. He kissed the Bible with a resounding smack when be took the oath. “All the evidence is incorrect,” he said. “1 was excited and I reported tin's man (Mr Napper). to the County Council. I would never think of going to gaol if I had the money. It would be a black mark against me for life.” The Magistrate: 1 am afraid you won’t drive for the next twelve months. “I’ll go to gaol,” said Opie when he was converted. “It’s not fair. "What do I get if 1 don’t pay?”

“Seven days,” said the Magistrate