TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 5, 10 September 1943, Page 5

TRAFFIC OFFENCES

many local prosecutions

WHAKATANE COURT SITTING

Before Mr E. "L. Walton, S.M. in the Whakatanc Magistrate's Coux-t last Tuesday a number of traffic offender? were dealt with, at the instigation of both the Transport Department and also the County Inspector. A\ iki Pjpini who was charged with operating a vehicle at Te ieko on June 1-1. last without a warrant of fitness was lined 10s and costs ;<ss. Tokora Ngahcu the owner of 11 head of cattle which Ave.ro found at large on the road at Te Teko on July 21 was. fined £1 and costs 17s, the inspector stating that defendant had already been prosecuted on two previous' occasions for similar offences. William Walker faced three charges in connection Avith hits action in driving an unlicensed car., without a driver's license to do ,so and also Avitliout a Avarrant of fitness. Fined 20s and costs lO.s on the first, ss. and costs 10s on the second and 10s and costs 10s on the litird.

Gerald Tcbbutt (Mr Suckling) was charged with driving an unlicensed motor cycle on July 7 without a warrant of. iitness.

Counsel explained that the defend ant in this case was on leave from a military camp at the time. Fined 20s and costs 12s. and 10s and costs 12s.

The unusual circumstances surrounding the prosecution brought against Donald Butler resulted, in the Magistrate inflicting a nomiual fine of ss. The charge was that being the owner of a agricultural tractor he had permitted it to be driven by a person, along the public road, who was not the holder of a driver's license. Evidence showed that the tractor had been driven by a boy aged 11 years who was automatically debarred from driving in any case. Defendant explained that he agreed to the boy's, request to drive the tractor and accepted full responsibility. The boy was quite a capable driver. H. Xewdick (Mr E. Armstrong) was charged with driving at an excessive speed in the Borough of Whakatane on July 9 and also with not being the hoi tier of a driver's license . The Transport Inspector staled that he Jia:l traversed Domain road at 40 m.p.h. Fined £2 and costs 12s and ss' and costs 12s on the second charge. Reginald Harry Gear Tor operating a vehicle, at Galatea on July 11 last without the requisite warrant of fitness was fined 10s and costs 12s,

G . Riddell (Mr Barry) was charged with operating a heavy motor vehicle on July 17 last "with a load in excess of that permitted by law.

Air Hamerton who appeared for tlie prosecution instituted by the. Whakatane County Council, said that the 'bus owned by the defendant was driven by one Tui Webb, and was licensed to carry 20 passengers or alternatively 40 children. On this occasion there were 13 passengers including <) adults. Mr Barry explained that the defendant was doing his best to get an extra bus and was forced at times to take more than he was entitled. to. The County Council was well aware of the position. Fined 20.s and costs 335.