MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 201, 26 July 1937, Page 8

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

BY-LAW CASES. Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., presided over the sitting of the Magistrate’s Court at Palmerston North to-day. Charged with driving a motor truck at the Showgrounds on J une 19 without due care and attention, H. L. Lush was fined £3, with 10s costs. Senior-Sergeant Mclntyre stated that defendant had backed into a car and damaged it, but had driven away immediately. However, a bystander had notified the owner of the damaged, vehicle. Defendant had at first denied backing his truck, but a few days later had offered to pay for the damage. The Magistrate, in imposing the fine, stated that defendant should have taken some steps to ascertain the owner of the damaged car. For riding an unlighted cycle at night, J. A. Siebien was fined 10s, with 10s costs. For parking a car over a fire plug in Broadway, E. A. Barker, or Hastings, was fined. 10s, with 10s costs. Charged with a similar breach, F. T. Hansen, of Whakarongo, was fined 10s, Avitn 12s costs. Senior-Sergeant Mclntyre stated that when the Fire Brigade were called to an outbreak of fire in George Street they found defendant’s car over the fire plug, and had to move the vehicle. The plug was 1 not marked by a white ring, but there was a white post on the footpath opposite it. Defendant said it was raining at the time, and lie considered that the ping should have been distinguished by a white mark. The Magistrate commented that as the car had been a nuisance, defendant would have to be fined. Stated to be £l7 10s in arrears on a maintenance order in favour of his wife Lawrence Martin Siemonek. ot Wanganui, was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment, the warrant to be suspended as long as he complies with the current order and pays 5s weekly off the arrears. David Henry Browning, for whom Mr J. A. Grant appeared, was charged with driving a car in the Square without due care and attention on June 8, when a collision had occurred shortly after noon near the Post Office. After evidence had been given, during which defendant said the other car, driven bv Mrs W. McCully (Marton), shot across a few feet ,ln front of him as he had crossed the railway line from the direction of the R'.D.C.. the Magistrate said that while Mrs McCully might have been partly to blame it was evident that proper care had not been exercised by defendant. A conviction was entered, but no fine inflicted, defendant being ordered to pay costs only An application for witness’s expenses on behalf of Mrs McCully was refused.