MOTOR SPEEDING

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1930, Page 8

MOTOR SPEEDING

DAMAGE, TO ROADS

MOTORIST V. COUNTY COUNCIL

•By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

TE ARODA, March 18

Strong exception was taken, by the Piako County Council at its meeting to-uay to the part taken by the Auckland Automobile Association in a recent case at T'e Aroint when a Hamilton motorist was proeeuted, on an 1 ~ioi nuuiun by the County Iraffic Inspector for speeding on the main high way near Mornnsville. The A.A.A. took the ease that on the day of the alleged offence the speedometer on the Inspector's motor cycle, with which the s r eed of the defendant’s oar was registered, was ' not proved accurate by reliable tests. it was not denied Liiat the speed was forty miles an nour, but the defence held that as. the prosecution, rested the' case of the re..ability of the speedometer, it must fail in the absence of proof that the .speedometer was correct. The tests made were by an ordinary watch. The Magistrate’s decision was in favour of tlie Department on the grounds submitted by the Council, and it was held further that even if the defendant travelled at' 42 miles an hour, it was not dangerous in the circumstances.

Speaking at the County Council meeting, Mr P. W. Walters said there was little use in the Council having traffic Inspectors if it were going to be held that a speed of over 40 miles an hour was perniissable. If when the County Council, in trying to maintain the roads in good order, endeavoured .o stop speeding, the A.A.A. was going to fight it, all of the County people should reuse being members of the Association. It was pointed out that it was not a question with the County ol the danger to the public, but of the damage to the roads. Tt was deemed to seek the assistance of other County Councils in countering the itiHuence of the A.A.A.