HE COPPED IT

NZ Truth, Issue 1178, 28 June 1928, Page 3

HE COPPED IT

Stern Remindeir For Traffic Cop | ■ (From "N.Z. Truth's" Christchurch Rep.) The Riccarton Borough Council | has a traffic inspector, T. Robson, whose long suit is laying traps for _, speedsters. WOE unto him whose number-plate comes under Robson'a eagle eye when the speed Is excessive— or considered so by this tramo-cop. v , But Robson's split-second stopwatoh and his Ideas of speed are sometimes not to be relied upon, as he found out m the Christchuroh Traffic Court last week, when he presented for magisterial adjudication Charles S. Thomas, the leading barrister of the city. < Lawyer Thomas had been to Ashburton on legal business and was passing through Riccarton on his return to town when he fell foul of Robaon's eagle eye. Robeon estimated the speed, at 80 miles per hour, but It was shown conclusively that the speed was not more than 20 miles— lf anything, somewhat under that rate. Lawyer Frank Sargent^ who was m the car with Lawyer Thomas, characterized the proceedings as ridiculous. . The case was dismissed, as was a similar prosecution brought by Robson against another motorist, J. Mlddleton. In the Mlddleton case, Robson ad-, mltted making a statement to Middleton relative to reducing the speed m the charge, but dehled . that this was conditional on a plea of guilty being entered. MAGISTRATE'S VIEW '■• : The Mlddleton case evoked strong comment from Magistrate Mosley. "1 have considered the position," said the bench, "and Inspector Robson. has ad-' mitted making a statement to Middleton regarding reduction of speed m the charge. "This is a very grave thing and will affect the attitude of the court towards his evidence. . . ! "If you put him m the box In future," said the 8.M., addressing Lawyer E. W. White, "his evidence will not carry as much weight aa it should. "It will be advisable for you to Instruct your inspectors to put nothing but the true facts before the court. "If I hear In future that any representations have been made to defendants, the cases will be summarily dismissed." The charge^ against Middleton, however, was dismissed on the grounds that It was his son who was driving the car at the time. .