CHARGES AGAINST BUS OWNERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 283, 28 November 1924, Page 7

CHARGES AGAINST BUS OWNERS.

INFORMATIONS DISMISSED. MAGISTRATE UPHOLDS BY-LAW. "I am of opinion that the by-law is not unreasonable, oppresive, or partial in its operation, and that it was legally passed, although the change of stand was hastily brought into operation,' , said Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M., in giving judgment at the Police Court to-day in connection with the charges brought by Mr. G. R. Hogan, chief traffic inspector of the City Council (Mr. Mackay) against Joseph Rimmer and John Trewheela (Mr. Terry), for permitting their buses to stand in front of the post office, which was not .1 public stand appointed by resolution of the Auckland City Council under By-law No. 1, Sections 785 (c) and 805. The stand in question used to be in front of the post office, but public inconvenience resulted, and on May 29 it was changed by resolution to a place in Quay Street extending from the Soldiers' Memorial to the Prince's wharf. The defences were: First, that the by-law was bad for various reasons; secvond, that Sectious 785 (c) under which the prosecutions were brought aplied to drivers only, not owners, unless they were drivers, too: "It is really not a by-law," said Mr. Poynton, "but a change of stand for vehicles under a resolution, which appears to be authorised under a by-law. I am, however, of the opinion that the informations must be against drivers, not owners. The defendant Rimmer was not driving on the day of the alleged offence." The informations againet Rimmer and Trewheela were dismissed.