Car Got “Shimmies”

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 98, 16 July 1927, Page 1

Car Got “Shimmies”

MOTORIST APOLOGISES S.M. KNEW THE MAKE (Special to THE SUN.) CHRISTCHURCH, Friday. “Always polite” must be the motto of Walter Alfred Mirinltt, a Christchurch motorist who is afflicted with a car that gets “the shimmies" in the front wheels. After bursting a front tyre against s tram while his car was suffering from one of these paroxysms, the motorist went to the Tramway Board and apiogised for his car’s lapse from good manners. The tramway authorities said that it would be all right, but the police held a different view, and prosecuted Minnitt in the Magistrate’s Court to-day for negligent driving. Senior-Sergeant Martin explained to Mr. E. D. Mosley, S.M., that the defendant collided with a tramear near the Heathcote Hotel. Apparently, the defendant, who zigzagged his car. was on the wrong side at the tramway loop. "My car got the shimmies in the front wheels after passing Bamford Street,” said the defendant, “I swerved to the right to remedy the defect, but the wheels wobbled again when 1 was close to the tram. The front ty hit the tram and burst. No damage was done to the tram and I did the right thing by apologising to the tramway authorities next morning. They said there would be no need to carry the affair further. The accident would not have happened but for the tram line loop." The Magistrate: What make of car is yours? The defendant mentioned one of the lighter makes. t T J e magistra te was sympathetic. He mo had had experience of the “shakes” °r which that particular make was somewhat noted. d ““’ t suggest that the defendant "aa the shakes,” smiled Seniorsergeant Martin. I hank you. Senior-Sergeant,” said the defendant gratefully, fine Snty shillin « s and costs was the