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\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF FIJI}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7804235 
\par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093\charrsid10776093 (WESTERN DIVISION)
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13071995 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1066263 AT LA}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093\charrsid7804235 UTOKA}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10776093 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 APPELLATE JURISDICTION}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093\charrsid13071995 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13071995 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10776093 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7804235\charrsid13071995 Criminal Appeal No. 21 of}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093\charrsid13071995  1977
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10776093 {\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093\charrsid10776093 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10776093 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093 BETWEEN
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10776093 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10776093 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093\charrsid10776093 REGINA
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7804235 Appellant}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10776093 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10776093 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093 AND
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10776093 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10776093 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093\charrsid10776093 PARAS RAM}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6424057  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 s}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093 /}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 o}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093  R}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 ati}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093  L}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 al}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7804235 Respondent}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10776093 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093 
\par Mr. Dyfed Will}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6364518 iams, Counsel for the Appellant;}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093 
\par Mr. S. Anand, Counsel for the respondent.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10776093 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7370692 JUDGMENT}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093\charrsid7370692 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid84239 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093 
\par Paras Ram f/n Ratilal was charged in the Magistrate}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 's Court at Nadi that on}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14369627  11th }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 June}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093  1976 he drove a private motor vehicle on the Queen}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093 s Road Namaka in 
a manner dangerous to the public. He first appeared in Court on }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14369627 7th}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093  Oct}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 ober}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14369627  1976}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 ,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14369627  and again on 4th }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093 November w}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid14369627 hen the case was adjourned to 18th }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093 March for hearing. The record on that day shows that after the first witness had given his evidence and been cro
ss-examined, the police indicated that they wished to file an alternative count and a count of careless driving }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12470361 
was then preferred, to which the respondent pleaded guilty. The prosecutor stood on the facts given in evidence by the complainant and the respo
ndent admitted those facts. These were that the accident occurred at the inter-section of the road from the Nadi Airport Terminal with the Queen}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12470361 
s Road, opposite the Gateway Hotel. The complainant was travelling on the Queen}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12470361 s Road, and the respondent}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12470361 s vehicle came from the Airport Terminal into the Queen}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 '}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12470361 s Road. It slowed down but did not stop and collided with the complainant}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12470361 
s vehicle. Complainant applied his brakes and his vehicle came to rest on the right hand side of the road. He was going at 40-45 miles per hour. He saw the respondent}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 '}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12470361 s car about 5 to 6 yards from where he would halt before entering the main road. Respondent did not halt.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12470361 
\par The respondent through his solicitor told the Court that his vision was impaired, although he did not say how, a
nd he submitted that complainant could have avoided the accident if he had been more cautious, and that he also should have been charged. The learned Magistrate started off his judgment by saying that this was an error of judgment on the part of the defen
dant. I pause here to say that whether or not there was an error of judgment }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15948115 it was no answer to a charge of careless driving. It was at one time thought so, but the ideas has been exploded since }{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15948115\charrsid8283319 Simpson v Peat}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15948115  (1952) 1 A. E. R. 447 where the Lord Chief Jus
tice of England, heading a divisional court of five judges said at p. 449:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12470361 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15948115 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid15948115 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15948115 
When one is considering careless driving it is in our opinion clear that a driver may not be using due care and attention although his lack of care may be due to 
something which could be described as an error of judgment. If he is driving without due care and attention it is immaterial what caused him to do so.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 "}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15948115 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15948115 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15948115 
\par The learned Magistrate went on to say:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid15948115 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15948115 
In my view any motorist coming into a carriageway of a road or deviation from the same must take every care to do so without }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11748850 interfering}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15948115 
 with the movements of other motorists using the same carriageway. If they do so then they are answering for such careless acts. In this case the accident occurred in the pathway of the complainant when defendant drove }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid221952 his vehicle on to it. It was incumbent on the defendant to either wait until the complainant}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12597391  had gone past before he drove across the r}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13705605 oad or drive completely off}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid221952  the complainant}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 '}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13705605 s pathway before the complainant}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid221952  had gone past.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 "}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15948115 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid221952 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid221952 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid221952\charrsid4466244 I agree with that entirely, if I may say so with respect, and add that if a driver fails in that duty he will be guilty of careless driving. He may even be guilty of dangerous driving 
in circumstances such as these. But then the learned Magistrate went on to say that the defendant was not entirely to be blamed, as complainant contributed to the accident, because he was travelling at 40 to 50 miles per hour and saw defendant}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid221952\charrsid4466244 s vehicle wh
en it was 5 to 6 yards away from the junction and when he was 40 to 50 feet away he saw the defendant crossing in front of him. He knew the intersection was a busy one, and as a prudent driver he should have reduced speed substantially. Whether or not thi
s be the case, it does not seem to me to mitigate the defendant}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid221952\charrsid4466244 s fault in erupting onto a highway from a side road. I would }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1659394\charrsid4466244 have thought that the fact that his vision was impaired would have imposed upon him an additional duty of care. The learned Magistra
te then said that he thought that the ends of justice would not be met if the defendant alone were penalised and he discharged him under s. 38(1) of the Penal Code. That section is as follows:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid221952 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1659394 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1659394 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16349965 S. 38}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1659394 (1) Where a court by or before which a person is found g
uilty of an offence, not being an offence for which a fixed sentence is prescribed by law, is of opinion, having regard to the circumstance including the nature of the offence and the character of the offender, that it is inexpedient to inflict punishment
 and that a probation order under the Probation of Offenders Ordinance is not appropriate, the court may, }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1659394\charrsid6309755 with or without proceeding to conviction, make an order discharging him }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid16349965 absolutely, or, if the court thinks fit, }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1659394\charrsid6309755 he commits no offence during such }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15089156\charrsid6309755 peri
od, not exceeding twelve months from the date of the order, and subject to such other conditions, if any, including the payment of costs or compensation, or the restitution of goods or the payments of money in lieu of goods, as may be specified in such or
der.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1659394 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15089156 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15089156 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6309755 Here the learned m}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15089156 agistrate obviously considered the circumstances and his conclusion was that they permitted the application of }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5653137 S}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15089156 . 38. The question for this court i}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6309755 s not only whether the learned m}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15089156 
agistrate exercised his discretion properly but whether he was right. The question as to whether he exercised his discretion properly might perhaps have to be considered against the background of the fact that this case was one }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6309755 fifteen which came before this C}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15089156 
ourt on the same day in which the Director of Public Prosecutions complained that accused persons had been discharged under }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5653137 S}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15089156 
. 38 of the Penal Code by Nadi Court in March 1977. Of those one was drunk and incapable, one was accused of behaving in an insulting manner and the }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6309755 remainder}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15089156  were motoring offences. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions referred}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid286513  me to }{
\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid286513\charrsid5653137 Cross}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid286513\charrsid5653137  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid286513 on the }{
\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid286513\charrsid286513 English Sentencing System (1971)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid286513  where the learned author says at p. 11:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15089156 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid286513 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid286513 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid286513 Absolute discharges are granted relatively rarely
,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid286513 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5653137 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid286513 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid84239 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid286513 and he has furnished a table at page 170 showing that in motoring offences in Magistrates}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid286513 
 Courts in England in 1969 absolute discharges were granted in only 1% of all cases. In the case of offences other than motoring offences the percentage of absolute discharges was also only 1%. Cross goes on at p. 11 to say:}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid286513 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid286513 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid286513 
Two typical situations in which absolute discharges are granted are first those in which the law has confessedly failed because the accused is morally blameless and no deterrent purpose would
 be served by his punishment, and secondly cases in which the Court considers that the accused}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid286513 
s conduct was an isolated instance and that no further pressures are needed to keep him up to scratch.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid286513 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid286513 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid286513 
\par Later he says:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid286513 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid286513 Akin to the first type of case in which
 absolute discharges are employed is that in which the court takes the view that the defendant ought never to have been prosecuted.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid286513 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid286513 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid286513 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3951183 a}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid286513\charrsid3951183 nd again:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid286513 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995\charrsid3951183 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid286513\charrsid3951183 
Absolute discharges are intended for cases in which }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13372253\charrsid3951183 
the judge has few, if any, misgivings about a repetition of the offence, and wishes to do all he can to reduce the stigma attaching to the conviction.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995\charrsid3951183 "}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid286513\charrsid3951183 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid13372253 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13372253\charrsid3951183 
\par I would say that none of the above considerations apply to the present case. But Mr. Anand suggested that no appeal lay in a case where there was no conviction and referred me to several cases. }{
\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13372253\charrsid3951183 R v Tucker}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13372253\charrsid3951183 
 (1974) 2 A. E. R 639 depends upon the construction of an English statute which gives an appeal against a sentence to a person who has been convicted. It w
as held that although a person the subject of a probation order has been sentenced, he had not been convicted and that therefore no appeal lay. In Fiji the}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13372253 
 right of appeal given by s. 289(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code is as follows:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid13372253 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13372253 \'85any person who i
s dissatisfied with any judgment sentence or order of a Magistrate}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13372253 s Court in any criminal cause }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3871107 or matter to which he is a party may appeal to the Supreme Court against such judgment, sentence or order.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 "}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13372253 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3871107 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3871107 
\par It was not suggested that the Director of Public Prosecutions was not a proper party, so that he is entitled to appeal against this order. It matters not whether there is a }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15543742 
conviction. Then Mr. Anand submitted that an order discharging an accused person can only be appealed by him and he cited }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15543742\charrsid212941 Simpson v. Attorney-General}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15543742  (1968) 14 F. L. R. 161.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5726763  There the learn}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9726299 ed Chief Justice held that the m}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5726763 agistrate}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13071995 '}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5726763 
s order refusing to remove an order of disqualification is not subject to appeal. I think it is sufficient to say that such an order is quite different from t
he kind of order I am considering here, which is an order made after the trial of the case by way of judgment and sentence. The Tanganyika case referred to in }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5726763\charrsid212941 
Simpson v. Attorney-General}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5726763  was an appeal against }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3951183 a refusal of bail, which again is}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5726763 
 quite different from a judgment after a trial. Mr. Anand also referred to a New Zealand case, }{\b\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5726763\charrsid212941 Halligan v. Police}{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5726763\charrsid5726763  (}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5726763 
1955) NZLR 1185. There a rugby football club conducted what a magistrate subsequently found to be a common gaming house and the club which wa
s an incorporated body was convicted. The treasurer was also convicted of managing the common gaming house, but other members of the committee who had also been res}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12154065 ponsible for organising the gaming}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid5726763  were not charged. A collateral result }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6632061 of the conviction w
as that the treasurer was debarred from a racecourse because of his conviction, whereas his more fortunate colleagues, although perhaps equally blameworthy did not suffer the same disability. MacGregor J. considered that though the power of absolute disch
arge was only to be exercised sparingly, and in matters of an unusual nature, the circumstances of the case before him warranted the exercise of the power.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3871107 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6632061 
\par In this case this Court is in fact dealing with an appeal against sentence. I must regard the exercise of a power which is only to be sparingly exercised}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12154065 ,}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6632061  fifteen times in one month to be prima facie erroneous, and when to that is added, that the power was exercised in a case where the circumstances show clear carelessness on the part of the accused, I c
onsider the learned magistrate was wrong. Nor is there anything put forward in the character of the accused person to justify the exercise of the power. I therefore set }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9726299 aside the order of the learned m
}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6632061 agistrate discharging the respondent and enter a conviction and impose a fine of $40.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9726299  The order made by the learned m}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6632061 agistrate as to payment of costs will stand.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6632061 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6632061\charrsid15211173 (S}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15211173 gd.}{
\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6632061\charrsid15211173 ) K.A. STUART
\par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15211173 JUDGE}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6632061\charrsid6632061 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid84239 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4466244 LAUTOKA,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10776093 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4466244 1st}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9715707  July 1977.
\par 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid79463 The Director of Public Prosecutions for the appellant.
\par Messrs Anand, Tappoo & Co., Solicitors, Nadi;
\par Solicitors for the Respondent.
\par }}