MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 1 October 1931, Page 4

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

THURSDAY, OCTOBER Ist. (Before AV. Meldrum, Esq. S.M.) DEBT CASES. A. W. Chalk (Mr El cock) v. G. Schroder, Ivoiterangi, judgment summons. Order made for payment of £6 18s 5d and costs 15s 6d, forthwith, in default 14 days. All other debt cases weie either adjourned or struck out. LICENSING ACT. On a charge of being found on licensed pi finises after hours, an offender (Red Lion Hotei) was fined 20s and costs 10s. Two residents (Red Lion Hotel) similar charge. Defendants pleaded not guilty. After hearing defendants and Sergeant King, the explanation was accepted and charges dismissed.

Four residents, similar charge (Red Lion Hotel). Two appeared and defended the charge, and their explanations were accepted. Ihe other two were ordered to pay costs 10s each. Two residents, similar charge (Pioneer Hotel). One was fined 20s and costs 10s and the other to pay costs 10s. NEGLIGENT DRIVING. The police charged A. Anderson (Mr Murdoch) with driving a motor car negligently on Kanieri road. A plea of guilty was entered, with an explanation. Sergeant King said on the afternoon about 3 p.m. the owner and driver went out to Woodstock. On the return journey after leaving Ivanien, wi crossing Shenandoah bridge, the car hit the right hand railings of the bridge knocking off two posts and a rail. The car which was owned by A. Stevens, was damaged on the front mudguards.. The car. went on for 70 yards. The driver's explanation was that the cause of the accident was faulty steering gear. The steering gear was examined by Newman .Motors' engineer and it was found to be in good older. The damage to the bridge was estimated at £3. His Worship entered a conviction and inflicted a fine of £3 and costs 10s. BOROUGH BYE-DAWS. Borough Inspector (AD* Park) v. T. Aloynihan a charge of allowing a horse to wander. Fined 10s and costs 10s. Solicitor 10s 6d. MOTOR VEHICLES ACT.

A. J. Sloes, Traffic Inspector (Air Murdoch) v. J. AI. AV. Hoeken, a charge of negligently driving a motor car, and with driving at a dangerous speed. Air Alurdoch said in the opinion of the Inspector it was rather a serious case.

Inspector Slcss presented plan and nhotonrranh of position. The latter showed the erratic course of the car. Considered tlve cau=e was either negligent driving or the driver was incapable of driving. Defendant had admitted being the driyer, and that it was the speed that had caused the failure to get round the corner. The car had gone over the bank and the hack wheels hung in a big fuschia tree, preventing the car having a 20 feet drop. There was grave danger to the passengers and the car. Damage done to the car was about £4O.

Richard James Steele gave evidence that he resided at Goldsbofough, knows defendant. Saw him coming down the road at an excessive speed. Called out to his (witness’) brother that there was sure to> be an accident. His brother. William Straight, and himself were present and called out, “watch this fellow go over the bank.” The car went over the hank and was suspended as the Inspector had described. There were four men in the car. Went over to the car and asked if anyone was hurt. Defendant said : “What the hell was that to do with you.” His Worship convicted the defendant on the charge of driving a motor car to the danger of the public and fined him £lO.. The defendant’s motor driving license was suspended for three months. The costs were £5 4s.