CHADLINGTON PETTY SESSIONS - Wednesday.

Before Captain J.H. Waller, M.V.O. (in the chair), Mr. A.C. Hall, and the Mayor (Councillar Austin Webb).

A Finstock Case.- George Pratley, engine-driver, of Finstock, was summoned for driving a steam-engine within 25 yards of the highway, and not having the same screened off. A plea of not guilty was entered. P.C. Bennett and P.S. Humphries gave evidence. The engine was situated about 12 yards from the road and was driving a threshing machine. It was not screened off. - Mr. H.W. Bolton, the defendant's employer, said that in the morning a wagon of corn was placed between the engine and the road. This might perhaps have been threshed last. He was not sure off the precise provision of the Act of Parliament on this matter. When traction engines with several trucks behind them, traction-wagons and motor-cars were allowed about the roads he thought there was nothing wrong in what he was doing. - the Bench did not convict, but ordered the payment of 6s. 6d. costs.