SERVICE CAR DRIVERS

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 62, 27 July 1938, Page 4

SERVICE CAR DRIVERS

TRIBUTE FROM INSPECTOR CHARGE OF SPEEDING A tribute to tlie skill and efficiency of the service car drivers on the Gis-borne-Opotiki route was paid on Monday morning by the Transport Department's' traffic inspector, Mr It. Metcalfe, when prosecuting Clarence Alexander Morley . before Mr E. L. Walton, S.M., for having exceeded the speed limit on the Gisborne-opotiki main highway. The defendant was convicted and 'discharged.

Mr Metcalfe said that the passenger vehicles were licensed to travel at 35 m.p.li., but the defendant’s speed had been between 40 and 50 fn.p.h., and he was compelled to take proceedings. There was no danger attached to the speed.

Mr Walton: Have the service drivers not to maintain a timetable and average 27 m.p.li. on the runs? i

Mr Metcalfe: I understand that is the case, but I think they stay too long at Matawai and it is tempting to exceed the limit set down for the vehicle.

Mr Walton; The road is difficult and the drivers could not maintain a 27 m.p.li. average without exceeding 35 m.p.li. at certain points.

Appearing for the defendant, Mr D. E. Chrisp said that the road was a difficult one in sections in the Waioelia Valley and the men frequently had to exceed 35 m.p.li. from Jo Kanaka to Gisborne. The timetable was a fixed one and the cars had to arrive in Gisborne at a specified' time. The public wanted the service speeded up.