WHAT NEXT?

NZ Truth, Issue 1193, 11 October 1928, Page 7

WHAT NEXT?

Motorist's Penalty (From "N.Z. Truth's" Dunedin Rep.J When^a magistrate has given his decision by sealing his signature to the court records, it must d*' : mand some fresh arid very stout •', evidence on behalf of the defendant:', to warrant an application for a .re- hearing. V '■';;■'. :iv ■ THIS, apparently, does not obtain la 1 the Dunedin Police .Court wine* Magistrate Bundle, presides, and by/hia line of action m recently remitting iUfi original sentence m a case of a convicted motorist, he has laid the foun-dation-stone f or^a. dangerous precedent for a class of offence which is fast making itself one of the greatest men* aces to the- community. . ;' Five weeks previous to. counsel's ap-« ; plication to -have a section, of hia client's sentence reduced (that dealing with the cancellation of 'licence), tha accused pleaded guilty to being found drunk m charge of a motor-icar. He was fined £10 and had his licence cancelled for three months. vIn pronouncing the sentence, ■■■•hUf-' ,- worship, emphasized t;he need :t or, Huch citizens as accused, who are connected with the motor . trade, to . exercise ■ ; "extra" care with respect to their be? havlor m charge of cars. . Counsel for accused outlined the . oircumstances of the. case, while the prosecuting police officer oonfirmed the suggestion that a lengthy icancellation, of the man's, licence might upset his; means r oiF > livelihood. . ' . " {, ; U. Five- or more weeks later, accused' 3 solicitor approached ,the ' court asking for a re-hearing on the grounds; "tbat owing to his _ client '^up^et!' ;pn the day of tfie original Keaf'iniprV 1 cer-. tain facts in 'favor of the accused had not been revealed. .- ; ; ■ No further evidence was called, and on the strengrth of the lawyer's .remarks, Magistrate Bundle reduced.'the cancellation of the 1 accused's .driving licence from three months !to s six weeks, , da,t.ing: from the ; day of the original sentence.^': r. ■',- Will/this :s6rt' : of Vlepienqy tend tbwarda- keeping ,;i^6rk^rew out of- a motorist^a kit of tools?