CASE DISMISSED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 December 1938, Page 4

CASE DISMISSED

ACCIDENT IN BANNISTER STREET. CYCLIST RUNS INTO VAN. Alister Joseph Collie was charged in the Masterton Magistrate’s Court yesterday afternoon with driving a motor van in Bannister Street on November 12 without due care and attention and with having no warrant of fitness. Mr C. C. Marsack appeared for defendant and entered a plea of not guilty in respect to the major charge. Senior-Sergeant G. A. Doggett said the case arose out of a collision between a bicycle and defendant’s motor vehicle in Bannister Street at about 12.20 p.m. on November 12. Walter Danes said he was riding his bicycle along Bannister Street and just after crossing the intersection of Dixon Street a van cut in in front of him and stopped alongside a lorry standing on the side of the road, as the result of which witness could not avoid running into the van.

Constable Charles Reardon read a statement made by defendant to the effect that he had proceeded about 15 yards along Bannister Street after turning the corner when he felt a bump and then stopped. He found that a cyclist had collided with the centre of the rear of the van. Defendant could not understand why the cyclist had run into the vehicle. Defendant said he had not seen anything of a cyclist before the accident occurred.

The magistrate, Mr H. P. Lawry, dismissed the case, observing that the statements of complainant were very obscure.

On the charge of having no warrant defendant was fined 10s, with costs. ,