MINOR NEGLIGENCE

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 460, 18 June 1937, Page 6

MINOR NEGLIGENCE

Stratford Motorist Fined Alleged contact between two cars travelling from Inglewood towards Stititford during rainstorm pn -the night of May 19 led .to a charge of negligent driving against Harold. Edward Taylor, Stratford, at tjie Stratford Court yesterday. Th.ylor pleaded not guilty and defended the case himself, but he was fiped £ll (costs £1 6s), Mr W. H. Woodward, S.M., remarking that there had been only minor negligence.

The ,car driven by Taylor overtook another vehicle driven by Mrs Bishop. said Sergeant C. M. Anniss.. As it passed Mrs Bishop felt, her car give a lurch and she followed Taylor, obtaining his number when he slowed down at a bridge. Later she found her right rear mudguard damaged.

Evidence was given by Inspector E. S. Summers, Transport Department, who- inspected (the vehicles Irier and produced photographs. Mrs Bishop described. what happened when Taylor passed her car but, cross-examined, said that otherwise he was not driving dangerously. Fuduher evidence was given by Constable G. H. Graham and R. Penniall, motor mechlanic, who inspected both cars, and said it was possible for Taylor’s car to have caused the damage, although the front le.lt hub cb.p was the only part dented. Taylor should have fel t the bump, said Penniall.

He felt no par when he overtook Mrs Bishop's car, said Taylor, There were no marks of contact pn his vehicle and he had no knowledge of Waving struck the other car. He was convinced from the circumstantial evidence that Taylor’s car had struck Mrs Bishop’s a glanc- ' tag blow, but it was not a case of I serious negligence, said Mr Woodward. ’ :