SHOW DAY INCIDENT.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 155, 14 March 1916, Page 4

SHOW DAY INCIDENT.

Charge of Obstructing Traffic. The arrangements made by tlie Pukekohe Borough Council in conjunction with the Franklin A. & P. Society's Executive, and with the approval of the Railway Department, for traffic proceeding to the show to go by way of tho station approach road and to return via the public road lead ing to East street, led to a charge heard at the Pukekohe Magistrate's Court on Friday against Alexander John McDonald, motor engineer, of Pukekohe, for having obstructed the traffic in the viciuicy of the railway I station. Mr Mahony appearod for the defendant aud pleaded not guilty. Sergeant Cowan prosecuted. Constables Moss, of Utahubu, and Watson, of Pukekohe, evidence to the effect that McDunald was rereturning to the township from the show on a motor bicycle aud attempted to pass along the road adjacent to the railway station, over which the inward traffic to the show was passing. McDonald was instructed by Constable Moss to proceed via the top road v which carried the outgoing traffic i andafter a slight discussion lie did. He, however, returned lat9r via the bottom road and asked the police for their authority in warning him oil tho lower road. An argument ensued and accused placed his bicycle alongside the station and after entering the station he returned and set the motor in action. He then took up a position on the lower road, and was in the act of starting to ride along it when Constable Ross intervened and ordered him to go. He replied that he would proceed along the lower load and that the constable could not prevent him. He remained on the road for 15 minutes, the traffic being blocked in the meantime. Constable Watson, fcho was mounted, then shifted him with his horse and he left, taking the top road. The defence submitted was that the top road was dangerous inasmuch as loose cattle were being driven on it and the road was heavy in scoria. Mr Mahony a'so contended that the spot where the argument had taken place was not on a public road, as it was railway propeity, and, iurthe 1 -, he argued that the police had no jurisdiction over tho Railway Department's load. Arthur Frederick Brown, stationmaster at PuKekobo, was called by Mr Mahony, aud deposed that tho lower road was railway property. It provided access to tho station, but it had uot boon closed for thice 3ears. Mr Brown also mentioned that ho had received instructions from the Department that the Frauklin A. and P. Society had obtained permission to use the road on the show days. The Magistrate v Mr Page) reserved Ms decision.