NO NUMBER PLATES.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 350, 3 February 1937, Page 5

NO NUMBER PLATES.

Court Proceedings Against Garage Manager.

"I shall deal with the charge as proved but not warranting a penalty,” said Mr W. H. Woodward, S.M., in the Stratford Court to-day in dismissing a charge against Harry Scott, garage manager, of permittng the use of an unlicensed motor vehicle. Defendant, who was represented by Mr N. H. Moss, pleaded not guilty. Inspector A. E. Ansell said that at 4.15 p.m. on November 26 he saw three cars without number plates being driven from the Stratford showgrounds. He saw them enter L. H. Johnson Ltd’t'. garage. "Can you swear that the cars were the property of L. H. Johnson?” asked Mr Moss. “No, but they Were taken delivery of at the garage,” replied the Inspector.

Further crost’-examined by Mr Moss, the Inspector admitted that there was ho direct evidence that Mr Scott was aware of the cars' being used. The Inspector said he Jiad since found out that it was the practice for years for cars to be taken to and from the showgrounds in convoys. The offence way not entirely a technical matter because there was no third-party insurance” when the cars were without number plates. Mr Moss asked that the charge be dismissed as trivial. Had the Inspector what he now knew the charge probably would noa have been laid. It there was an offence the charge probably would not have been against the firm and not against sir Scott. The question was whether a vehicle was being! "used” when being taken from one showroom to another. His client had been in the motor business for many years, and resented the charge being ffidide against him personally. The Inspector had gained his point and firms would not offend in future.