UNUSUAL CHARGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26631, 29 November 1947, Page 8

UNUSUAL CHARGE

HOME-MADE LICENCE STICKER USE ON MOTOR CYCLE What was described by Traffic Inspector N. E. Colville as probably the first case of its kind in New Zealand, was heard in the Mosgiel Magistrate’s Court yesterday when a young apprentice mechanic, formerly a draughtsman, appeared before Mr A. E. Dobbie, S.M., charged with placing a licence sticker, made by himself, on a motor cycle which he was repairing. The defendant, Douglas John Farrell, of Green Island, said that the motorcycle was the property of George Roy Taylor, who bought it from the Army Department at Burnham. Taylor decided to sell the machine, and the defendant undertook to overhaul it so that it would find a buyer more readily. Taylor had lost the registration papers for the machine some weeks before the offence, and thought he would be forced to return to Burnham to register it again, continued the defendant. One day he saw a magazine cover which was the same colour as the current green licence sticker, and on a piece of this paper, cut to the appropriate size, witness copied the printing on an expired licence. Warrant of Fitness Altered Traffic Inspector Colville said that not only was the licence sticker a false one, but the warrant of fitness had also been altered. The date of issue was altered from February 24, 1947, to May 24, 1947. Although it had not expired, the warrant was so dirty that it was hard to decipher. • “This is a very serious offence, and you might have been charged with forgery,” said the magistrate. “It is only one step from making a licence sticker to manufacturing your own pound notes.” Farrell was fined 10s and costs (10s) for altering the warrant of fitness; 10s and costs (10s) for using a motor cycle, without a licence; and £2 and costs (10s) for using a licence likely to be mistaken for a genuine licence. The owner of the motor cycle, Taylor, was fined £2 and costs (10s) for aiding and abetting Farrell in using an improper licence, and 10s and 1 costs (10s) for using an unlicensed motor cycle. Other Ckscs Leonard Wilfred Gribben was fined £2, with costs (10s), for exceeding the speed limit. For conducting business as a cartage contractor without a licence, Arthur William Williamson (Mr W. P. Hartstonge) was lined £2, with costs (10s). A fine of £l, with costs (10s), was imposed on Robert Forsyth Lloyd (Mr B. A. Quelch) for exceeding the load allowed by his heavy traffic licence. Civil Claim Robert Heasley (Mr C. H. Stevens), a horse trainer and jockey, of Wingatui, claimed £23 10s from Thomas Crozier (Mr J. L. Calder), a civil servant, of Mosgiel, alleging that the defendant owed him £22 Is for training the defendant’s racehorse for seven weeks, and £1 9s for two sets of shoes for the horse.—After evidence had been given by the ' plaintiff, by the defendant, and by John Cursey, Hector Strang, and Frank Joseph Boyle, the magistrate gave judgment for the plaintiff. Crozier was ordered to pay the palintiff £lB 18s for training fees, £l9s for the two sets of shoes, solicitor’s fee (£4 3s), and costs (£2).