EXCEEDING SPEED LIMIT IN RIVER

Taupo Times, Volume IV, Issue 176, 10 June 1955, Page 4

EXCEEDING SPEED LIMIT IN RIVER

Boat Owner Fined £7/10/- _ ;'7 A charge against Thomas Halkett of exceeding a speed of five knots within 400 yards of the Taupo Wharf; was heard in the Magistrate's Court,| Taupo, on May 27, before Mr W. Aj Harlow, S-M. Mr S. A. McNamara,; Conservator of Wild Life, prosecutedl Mr Willis appeared for defendant an|i entered a plea of not guilty. Bruce Robin Williamson, harbot|| master at Taupo, in evidence, saiy that on January 13, about 9.35 pM when he was about 50 yards belQjl the wharf he heard a launch ap-| proaching from the Lake. It showe^ one light only, a spotlight, which wai focussed along the wharf, not on | |j boat's course, and as the boat casfl into view it was obvious it was ejpl ceeding five knots. When the spotlight was focussed witness he waved defendant down,bffl defendant called out "Good-da|l boss," and increased speed do^| river.

Witness was driven down in a Wm to where defendant's boat was cos|| ing in to berth. Witness took )|| bow-line and assisted him to tie |1 and then asked what was his hurtjl Defendant replied, "No hurry, so|l Witness told him he was travellj|l at an excessive speed, but defend|H said he was doing about one mile P|i hour.

Witness then asked defendant ifji would come and see him in his o&f in the morning, which defendant ssf he would do. There were two on the launch, and as witness leftl fendant passed a rude remark. i did not come to see witness. In reply to Mr Willis, witness || a knot was 1 1-8 miles per hou|l was fairly dark, but a clear ^ with' good visibility. He judgedji speed from his experi^nce. -M speed was from eight to 10 mil(jM hour. He had had experieiice;^ ships of many types, with servlcefl the Navy. The boat had made a 3 rific wash. Mr Willis submitted that theH dence as to the boat's speed wasli sufflciently certain. His Worship said he was sat||l from the harbourmaster's evi|^ that there had been excessive spafi Defendant would be convicted;^ fined £7 10s. with costs £1.