COURT NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 12 August 1931, Page 4

COURT NEWS

MOTORIST’S OFFENCE. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) CHiRISTCHUiROH, August 11. After knocking down two girls os ißiccarton Road on Saturday evening Alfred Edwin Smith, - aged forty-nine, of 494 Manchester Street, a motor engineer, was arrested, He pleaded guilty to being in a state of intoxication while in charge of a motor-car and was fined £ls and costs by Mr H. P. La wry, S.M. Tho injured girls aro Joan Wotten, of 37, Allen Street, Riccarton, and Alison Williams of 77 Middleton Road,. Both were admitted to the Christchurch Hospital at 11 p.m., suffering from abrasions and shock.

iSenior-Sergeant Pox said that shortly after 10 p.m., on Saturday defendant ran down two girls not far 'from Church Corner. The girle were going along on their correct side, one riding a bicycle, and the other walking beside her between tile tram line and, the left-hand side of the road. Defendant overtook them and injured them both 1 ; the condition of one girl was fairly serious and she was' still in hospital, though there were not likely to be any complications. One of the girls was pushed a distance of fifty-five feet and was held under the car, which had to be lifted to get her out. A constable found the accused to be definitely intoxicaed.

Mr Tracy, who appeared for the accused, said that it was his client s first lapse. Senior-Sergeant Fox said that he had met accused in his official capacity on insurance questions and was surprised to find him in his present position. He agreed that cancellation of his license would interfere seriously with Smith’s

occupation. “One does not like to do anything to encourage people to drive highpowered cars when they have not got them under the fullest control,” stated Air La wry “and it is not suggested that defendant was not aware of the power of the machine. I think the issue of a prohibition order will overcome the necessity to take away his license. The fine, however, will have to be increased above the usual in such cases. Defendant is fined £ls and costs.”