MOTOR CYCLIST AND FAIR PLAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 May 1920, Page 2

MOTOR CYCLIST AND FAIR PLAY.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—l think it is about time our motor cyclists took some action to do away with the inconsistencies displayed by our Magistrates in dealing out justice to offenders. Several instances lately which have come under my notice re penalties meted out to the motor car drivers and motor cyclists for Creaking the by-law re excessive speed, havo been most unjust to the motor cyclist, whose likelihood of doing injury to the public is far less than the motor car drivers, his machine taking up more of the road than the cyclist A few days ago a lady was lined 10s and costs, and a gentlenjan £2 and costs for exceeding the speed limit while driving their separate cars in the busiest streets of New Plymouth. A motor cyclist is penalised £5 and costs, and another unfortunate cyclist pays the seemingly unjust fine of £lo ana costs for riding at a greater speed than the by-law permits on a country road with absolutely no traffic In sight. Yet In the busy street of New Plymouth a motor car driver for committing an offence of the same nature is fined by the Court, only the small sum of 10s and costs, because of some paltry excuse about being In a hurry. I understand this by-law was framed to protect the public > and rightly so, hut when.there are such glaring anomalies in the administration of justice as these quoted, what are we to think? Court justice becomes merely a. misnomer, and most certainly these inconsistencies In the sentences meted out aro not likely to Instil and confirm public respect for our so-called courts of justice.—l am, etc.,

WILLIAM JOHNSTON. New Plymouth, May 14.