INEFFECTIVE BRAKES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 211, 22 September 1937, Page 6

INEFFECTIVE BRAKES

Butcher Fined on Thre? Counts BREACHES OF REGULATIONS John Fletcher, butcher, of Hastings, tvas charged in the Hastings Magistrate's Court this morning before Mr. J. Miller, S.M., on three counts of usLng motor v-ehicles with iueffcctive brakcs. A plea of guilty to all eharges was entered by Mr. W. Selwyn Averill. A fine of £2 in each case with costs totalling £1 10/- was imposed. Tho defendant 's firm had three vehicles, not one of which had been tcsted for a warrant of litness, poiuted out Inspector D. Mann. The three vehicles, he said, were so incfficient that ho had to prohibit their being used. "They are the worst three vehicles I have come across," he added. The defence admitted that the vehicles were in the state alleged, but said that there had been no dliberate intention. The two smaller vehicles were used by the cmployees only. "Trade vehicles should be specially attendeed" to.in the matter of fitness," observed Mr. J. Miller, S.M., "because they are on the road all the time and are often driven by young men and boys. " A plea of guilty to operating a light delivery .;van with ineffective brakes was entered. by: the Hastings Bakery Ltd. (Mr. Averill). A fine of £1 with costs -10/- was imposed. Traffic-lnspector • D. Mann said that the vehicle 's steering gear was also defddtive and he had since prohibited its use. • ' ■ Mr. Averill said that tho vehicle had already been traded in by tlie defendant eompany and was being used only until tho new vehicle was ready for use. The brakes ■ wero adjusted frequently, and tlie defendants felt tliat this eliminated any real danger, although the vehicle needed new brake drums. They were unwilling, however, to spend money on these when the vehicle was already due for replaccment. Operating a motor-car without a windscreen wiper cost Kenneth Quinlivan 5/- without costs. For driving a light delivery truck for which a warrant df fitness had not been obtained, James Cocurulla was lined 10/- with costs 12/-. Eobert M. Hawkins waa fined 15/with costs 10/- for keeping an unregistered dog.