STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 September 1916, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(l'l'om Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, Yesterday. iIAt!ISTIIATJi\S COU'KT, A sitting of the Magistrate's Court was 111-Id tills afternoon, before Mr. YV. 1!. llaselden, S.M. Ceoige Kaightley, George Cresswell, and Charles Gray were each fined os and costs 7s for driving without lights. Donald Morisun was lined 5s and costs 7s tor riding a bicycle without lights. Kit ward B. Stohr was charged with diUing a motor-car in a reckless manner. Sergeant Dale prosecuted, and Mr. A. H. •lohnstone appeared for defendant, who pleaded not guilty. Ci. K. Boeock, a farmer residing at Toko, said tliat oil July "29 lu- was driving a. motor-ear from' New Plymouth towards Stratlord. When near the Kiore Road he met a car coming towards liiui, hut could not swear whose it was or who was driving. As he approached, witness noticed that the driver was not inclined to give him as much road as he should do. To the best of his belief both cars had lights. To Mr. Johnstone: There was ample room on the road to pass if one ca'red to go off the metal. William L. baccy said he met defendant's ear coming towards him while Slitton was coming on 'behind on a cycle, ■tie noticed Stohr pass Boeoek, and could see that Stohr was not going to give 'him any room, so lie took the muil. Stohr was not driving in a regular manner. To ill*. Johnstone: He and Sutton were fellow employees, lie (witness) did not have a light on his ear because it was not lighting up time. James A. Thompson, another occupant of Lacey's car, said they passed nothing on the road till they saw.a car coming towards them, which did not give them any road to pass on the metal. The' ear was zig-zagging, and it appeared to liim that- the driver was a new chum. He should say Stohr was travelling at to 40 miles an hour. R. (Iredig, motor mechanic, said he received word that a mail named Sutton had been injured near Midhirst, anil he and others went to the scene, taking Mrs. Stohr with them. A quarter of a mile past the abattoirs he saw a motorcar with a motor-cycle jambed underneath it. He saw defendant, who, in his opinion, was not sober, and not in a fit condition to drive a motor-car. The brakes were all in good order, but he considered they had never been used. To Mr. Johnstone: There was ample room for anyone to pass on the proper side. Directly opposite the car was a mudhole. There was no reason why an accident should have occurred if proper precautions had been taken. Allan D. Cuff, motor dealer, said that after speaking to Stohr for a while he came to the conclusion that Stohr was not sober. He asked Stohr how the accident occurred, and he replied: 'There's my car, there's the bike!" He considered it would be dangerous for Sutton to go on the soft portion of the road. The marks of the car showed it had been coming on the wrong side from Stratford and had crossed over to the right side 'suddenly, thus causing the accident.

To Mr. Johnstone: It was quite dark when he was at the scene. The metal was about IB feet wide, and there was ample room on each side to pass. He was Sutton's employer and had him insured. There was no sign of the brake being used. Thomas Harry Sutton, milking machine mechanic, said, be was about 1 1 /L> mile's from Midhirst when he saw a car looming towards him on the wrong side of the road, lie waited till the car came within a chain, and then, to avert an accident, went over to the ivrong side. Stohr swerved the car and struck witness' cycle. The first thing witness kne'iv when he came to was that Mr. and Mrs. Stohr were sitting in the car. Stohr came over to him and said he did not think that witness' leg was broken. He considered Stohr was not sober. To Mr. Johnstone: The road was; fairly wide. Witness was not travelling fast. There was no time to slow down 'before the accident happened. Constable Robertson said lie proceeded to the scene of the accident, find saw defendant, who was considerably undei- the influence of liquor. Mr. Johnstone submitted that the accident was directly the fault of Sutton, who was an inexperienced driver.

•Sidney Ward, Mrs. W. Robinson, and T. Tomlinson testified to Stolir being perfectly sober. Edward 13. tStohr said be had a drink at Kltham at 4 p.m., and did not have another after that. He saw Sutton coming a quarter of \ mile away, and could see the cyclist was not slackening liis speed, lie applied the brake, and simultaneously the accident occurred. His Worship said: I do not know any positive objection to the police taking up this prosecution, but I am by no moans ?ertain that the truth has been laid before me. In the evidence, I think the prosecution laid under section A of the Motor Regulations must fail. Where there is more than one explanation of doubtful circumstances a criminal court is bound to adopt an explanation consistent with innocence. I am trying to carefully avoid saying anything that may be quoted at a subsequent proceeding that may be taken. The information is dismissed. A defended civil enso (James 'Donald v. A. McCowan) was heard, the claim being for ,130 commission on sale of an Overland car. Mr. Rutherford appeared for plaintiff and Mr. C. Wright foi defendant After the evidence on both sides had cecn heard, his Worship reserved his decision.

GENERAL. Last evening the Fire Brigade held.a "Hard-up'' fancy dress oall in the Town Hall, when a very large crowd of dancers and onlookers attended. The stage bad been nicely decorated with Brigade gear, and with the. motto ''Ever Ready," it being a credit to Custodian Burgess. The Kgmont Club's, ■rehestra, under Mr. R. Cottier, were in attendance, while later on Mrs, Bianebi's orchestra, kept the dancer.-' in :i merry mood. The fancy costumes, which were not as numerous as in other years, contained some novelties. Among the costumes were the following: Miss Wall (Night), Miss Payne (Topsy), Miss Rowe (Belgian girl), Miss McDonnell (I'ieiette), Miss Sprigging (Cow (iirl), Miss Sheaban (Charles I.), Miss Walker (Washerwoman), Miss I. Franks (France), Miss Franks (parcel from Walters'), Miss Leydon (Negress) Mr. Bennett (Chief Cook Kiripaka), H. Areda (Tramp), Gledl(ill (Sacks), Brennaa (Hard-up), J. Rowe (Rua), F. Daniells (Baker), G. Bradley (Cat), Leydon (Coon), G. Sanne (Sailor). Tlu. prices were awarded as follows: Best liajd time costumes: Lady, Miss Walker, i* T T lunrln 11