MOTORIST THOUGHT TRAFFIC “COP” WAS A HIGHWAYMAN

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 March 1947, Page 6

MOTORIST THOUGHT TRAFFIC “COP” WAS A HIGHWAYMAN

(0.C.) Marton, March 4. An excuse that he thought someone was going to rob him of a large sum of money he was carrying, was advanced by Bernard Francis Corrigan, farmer, Tutaenui, Marton, when he appeared before Mr. A. Coleman, S.M., in the Marton Magistrate's Court this morning charged with failing to stop when the traffic inspector sounded his siren. Some years ago defendant was accosted under similar circumstances near Wanganui, ancj robbed of his money, and he thought that this experience was to be repeated when he heard the siren, so just kept on going. At the time of the offence he was returning to Marton late at night after attending the races in New Plymouth. Corrigan was charged with inconsiderate driving, in that he failed to dip his headlight. To botli charges, through his counsel (Mr. K. A. Williams), he pleaded not guilty. The traffic inspector, Mr. W. C. Shaw, prosecuted. Defendant was fined 30s on each charge, costs amounting to 225. The inspector said that at about 11.30 p.m. on December 28 he saw a car proceeding towards Marton from Turakina, with its lights on full beam. Later, in response to the inspector, the lights were dipped, but before passing they were switched on to full again. Despite efforts by witness, defendant failed to obey signals to return them to "dipped.” “I turned and chased him and attempted to stop the motorist by using the horn and siren for about two miles," said witness, “but defendant remained in the centre of the road." Eventually the inspector managed to pass and stopped the car, which was driven by defendant. Asked for his reason for not stopping when he heard the siren, defendant said he did not know the object of sounding a siren. He also mentioned that he had been robbed under similar circumstances some years ago. Defendant smelt of drink and was very abusive, added the inspector. Defendant, in evidence, said he had been driving for 32 years and this was his first alleged offence. He saw a car approaching and dipped his lights, but did not see the lights of the oncoming car dipped. “They were shockingly bright," observed defendant. “I did not know they were not on full beam, they were so strong." Witness later switched on his lights again and did not sec the signal of the inspector to dip. He later heard the siren but did not know it was operated by the in spector, nor did he know that inspectors had sirens fitted on their cars. “I became flustered, but was certainly relieved when I saw it was the inspected not not someone wanting to rob me," said defendant.

He denied that the inspector gave a signal for him to dip his lights. With refeience to the inspector’s evidence that, witness smelt of drink, Corrigan said he hadn’t had a drink all day..