TAUGHT THE KING

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2092, 29 May 1907, Page 4

TAUGHT THE KING

MOTORIST’S ENCOUNTER WITH POLICE.

“I have had the honor of instructing his Majesty tlio King, the Prince of Wales, Prince Christian, and other members of tho Royal household in the art of motoring. lam considered to be an expert in motor matters, and I feel this affair very keenly.” Thus Mr. Oliver Stanton, an American gentleman living at Cavendish Mansions, West Hampstead, wlio was summoned at Marylebono, London, for driving a motor along Avenueroad, St. John’s Wood, at a greater speed than twenty miles an hour, and failing to produce liis license to drive.

“Tlio two constables,” continued Mr. Stanton, “were very brusque, and looked like brigands—(laughter) —and when they asked for my licence I refused to produce it, because it was a virgin one (i. 0., ic had no stain uiioii it), and offered instead to drive the whole load of them to tho station. “Some timo after the accident, I went into tho park, and met there a very high official from Scotland Yard, who greeted ,mo with tlio remark. ‘Oh liavo they got you in ?’ (Loud laughter.) I confessed with regret they liad, and said I felt very wroth about it. The high official then asked, “What did you do? I told him that, having been caught in a trap, I ■ went, to the top of Avenue Road, and stopped there from ten minutes past ten to a quarter past ono warning every motorist wlio came along that tho trap was in existences and advising them to avoid it. “Altogether I warned forty-two, and hold them up, and they all went down the road like a funeral procession. (Laughter.) What tho police thought of it I don’t know, but the Avenuo Road was quiet. (Laughter.) The high official remarked, ‘very good ; you have helped us greatly ; wo will give you a tunic and helmet.’ ” (Laughter.)

A fine of 40s on one summons and 10s on the other, with costs, was imposed.