TAPANUI COURT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24226, 19 February 1940, Page 12

TAPANUI COURT

Wednesday, February 14 (Before Mr R. C. Abernethy. S.M.)

Motor Offences

Arising out of a motor collision on the Glenshee Valley-Pukerau road near Waikoikoi, David McColl, farmer, Waikoikoi, for whom Mr Naylor appeared, was- charged by the police with driving his car without due care and attention, and also with failing to keep as close as practicable to the left of the roadway.—Constable Blamires gave evidence that a collision had occurred between two cars on a narrow portion of the road. He was called to the scene some time after the accident and saw the position of the cars. The defendant admitted that just before the accident he was travelling in the middle of the road, there being only one lot of car tracks. —Defendant stated that just before the accident he slowed down to approximately 25 miles an hour on account of the condition of the road and just after turning a bend he met another car. Although he pulled his car into the water table it was too late to avoid being struck. Evidence on behalf of defendant was also given by James H. Trustier, county surfaceman. —Dismissing both charges, the magistrate said that they had not been proved to the court’s satisfaction and defendant would be given the benefit of the doubt. George Paterson, builder. Gore, the driver of the other car involved, was similarly charged. Mr Howells appeared for defendant. After evidence had been given for the prosecution by Constable Blamires, Mr Howells submitted that there was no case to answer.—The magistrate agreed and dismissed both charges. Rabbit Nuisance

John Mills, farmer, Conical Hills, pleaded not guilty to failing to clear his land of rabbits. Mr O. O. Mackley (Invercargill) appeared on behalf of the Stock Department and stated that notwithstanding personal ■: and written requests to clear his land, the defendant had done almost nothing to keep the pest in check.—lnspectors R. G.

Buchan and C. G. Burgess gave evidence that defendant’s land was badly infested and the only action taken by Mills was a little trapping to save his oat crop.—Defendant stated ihat he had destroyed some 1000 rabbits since September and denied the statements of both inspectors.-—He was convicted and lined £4 and costs (12s), the magistrate remarking that defendant had treated the department’s warnings tod lightly and had failed to take effective steps to clear his land of the pest Bridget M. Heffernan, Conical Hills, was charged with failing to destroy rabbits on her property.—She pleaded guilty by letter and was fined £4 and costs (12s).