“PERSECUTION, NOT A PROSECUTION”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 134, 27 August 1927, Page 16

“PERSECUTION, NOT A PROSECUTION”

REGISTRATION OF A CAR Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Friday. “This is a persecution rather than a prosecution,” said Mr. E. D. Mosley, S.M., to-day after hearing the evidence against William Hayward, manager of the Rink Taxis, Ltd., who was charged with a technical offence in connection with the registration of a car. It was alleged that the papers relating to the car had not been properly transferred when the car was sold. Mr. Tracy, for defendant, said that the motor regulations caused enough fuss and bother when administered in a courteous manner, as they generally were, but in cases like the present they became pure oppression. He contended that the department had no eight to prosecute Air. Hayward personally for an offence alleged to have been committed by the firm. There bad been no suspicion of dishonesty or evasion. “One certainly does not look for it from such a firm,” said the magistrate. “The defendant company has been thoroughly honest,” concluded Mr. Mosley, in dismissing the charge, “and has done all it could to assist the department under the circumstances. “Why it should be haled before the court is beyond my comprehension. No court likes to think that it is dealing with an unjustifiable prosecution.”