RACING CLUB CONVICTED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 876, 21 January 1930, Page 7

RACING CLUB CONVICTED

OBSTRUCTING Tr \FFIC OFFICER From Our Own Correspondent OTAHUHU, Monday. In giving his decision at the Otahuhu Police Court this morning in the case in which the Auckland Automobile Racing Club, Limited, was prosecuted by Mr. C. N. Clark, traffic inspector, tor Manukau County Council, for obstructing a traffic officer in the execution of his duty, Mr. W. H. Woodward, S.M., said that if any interference had been caused it was only technical and it was not a case for penalty. Me entered a conviction without penalty. Security for appeal was fixed at £lO. Charles Norman Clark, inspector for Manukau County Council, in evidence said that on the occasion of the motorcycle races at Mangere on December 14, officers of the Auckland Automobile Racing Club, Limited, had 30 or 40 men selling programmes and tickets. They stopped cars which made it difficult to control traffic. He issued instructions that the selling must cease. The officials refused and said they had received instructions from the secretary. The latter, on being - interviewed, said he could not give orders until he interviewed the president. The position was explained to the president. He absolutely defied witness, who took him to a policeman on duty who said that if the inspector did not prosecute, the police would. Three of the inspectors on duty also gave evidence. Mr. Holmden, for the defendant company, claimed that the ticket-sellers should have been prosecuted, as it was they who caused the obstruction. He submitted that it was impossible for the company to obstruct the inspectors. The magistrate over-ruled the objection as it had been said in evidence that ticket-sellers had actually referred the inspector to the officials of the company for orders. The Auckland Automobile Racing Club is a separate and distinct organisation from the Auckland Automobile Association.