Negligent Driving Charge

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 35, 11 February 1937, Page 12

Negligent Driving Charge

£lO FINE FOR MAIN ROAD COLLISION (Special to “Times”) HASTINGS, Feb. 30 tf l can’t understand this. It is a very bad case, ” said the Magistrate, Mr J. Miller, in inflicting a fine of £lO and ordering tho endorsement of defendant’s licence, when, in the Hastings Court this morning, William Goodall was charged with negligent driving on the Napier-Hastings main highway. Defendant did not appear, but wrote a letter from unedin, saying that ho could not defend the action as he was unable to aord it. lie regretted tho occurrence. Sergeant Mclnstosh said that, on October 22, tho defendant was driving along the Kararau road near the showgrounds, when he met another car. Both cars were on their correct sides, then the defendant swerved and had a head-on collision. One passenger in defendant’s car was seriously injured and the other two wero less seriously injured. Tho driver of the other car Asked defendant why ho swerved, and ho was not able to make an explanation. He later informed the police chat he swerved to avoid a cyclist, here was a suggestion of drink, but nothing could be proved. The driver of the other car, W. Jacomb, of Napier, said that he saw no cyclist. Defendant swerved so suddenly that witness had no time to apply his brakes to prevent the collision. For the defendant, it was stated that ho had had family worries. “I will take into consideration that the man has had trouble; but that doesn’t justify him,” commented the Magistrate. He’s a menace on the road. ‘