MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 96, 18 September 1914, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

MOTOR JMI V lilt FIXED. At the Mugis(riUr» Court yesterday, before Mr A. S.M!., tyVii'lliam 'Cry, a Haweru Huurt'eiii-, was proceeded against for (a) driving a motor car at excestive .speed, ami (b) negligent driving. Defendant through Mr Johnstone, pleaded guilty to the first charge, i lie second being withdrawn on Mr J ohiwtone's application, Stnior-Sergt Hadurell consenting. It appeared, that defendant attempted to pass a horse and trap driven by Capt. Mace at a 'high rate of Ispeed i,n llie endeavor to avoid <■- collision tat as Senior-Sergt. Haddrell put it, the l.ulf-inch margin, w.hicii was considered Bfife enough in London: iil not suffice at \ew Plymouth, t'he consequence being ■llmt there wa B a collision, whereby the trap and harness suffered, Capt, Mace fortunately escaping, tho Sergeant re umrking that Capt. .Mace had M»re or less a charmed life.

Mr Johnstono urged that defendant had done what he thought was best to avoid a collision, and he urged that his client should receive lenient treatment, as a conviction would 4>s> likely to affect ins careor as a motor driver. Senior-Sorgt. Haddrell did not press for a severe penalty, but considered (hat the public should' be protected from overdriving by n. jtnrmen. His Worship relinked that professional drivers would i: ot drive slowly. 'Jhere appeared to be a. esprit de corps among them that operated in the opposite direction. Ke great harm tad been done by the collision in the present case, but it was evident that the diiver would not slow down, preferring to take the risk and Tely on 'his skill. It was necessary therefore to treat the offence as a danger to townspeople. Defendant wvuld be lined 12, and costs 15s.

OBSTRUCTING THE THOROUGHFARE. Walter Cassidy was called upon to an sewer an information against 'Ui'm for a breach of the boTOUjjU by-Ifura tn leaving % is ilk Olrt unattended in CiU'iie street. Inspector Tippins, wh.) prosecuted, stated that the cart was left in the centre of the street, there being no room for vehicles to pa« on either side. When asked for an explanation, defendant saui he did nol know .why he had left the cart in such a. position. II is Worship imposed a fine of ss, with costs 7a.