“OFFICIAL MURDER”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 742, 15 August 1929, Page 6

“OFFICIAL MURDER”

AGED MOTORIST COMPLAINS NOT SENILE DECAY "It can be classed as official murder," stated a 73-year-old motorist in a letter containing his resignation received by the council of the Auckland Automobile Association last evening. The statement referred to his prosecution in the Papakura Police Court for "driving in a manner dangerous to the public, due to faulty eyesight and tailing faculties due to senile decay.” A summons had also been issued on a charge of failing to have his licence endorsed for pass-enger-carrying.

T have driven more than 70,000 miles on this run, carried thousands of passengers, and can do anything ■with my car but make it speak.” said the writer. "My eyesight is as good as lots of men who are 50. I can drive a golf ball close to 300yds and at 22yds break an average of eight out of 10 clay birds with a shot-gun. In three innings last year at cricket 1 made 32, lb and 12. “I know a lot of men on the road who are less competent than I am, but their licences have never been cancelled or their fitness Questioned. To me it means starvation, as my only source of income was ill this mail service run, "and the Town Board has bumped me out without a moment's warning and taken my only source of living away. At the age of 73 this is not a pleasant prospect. I call it official murder.” Quoting from Shakespeare lie said: “You do take my life when you do take the means whereby 1 live.” "They could have given me a week or a month’s notice to settle up my affairs on the service run and all would have been quite in order.” The resignation was accepted.