DRIVER'S LICENSE CANCELLED

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 172, 23 July 1929, Page 5

DRIVER'S LICENSE CANCELLED

POWERS OF INSPECTOR

UPHELD BY TOWN BOARD.

A sharp difference of opinion arose at last evening's meeting of the Papakura Town Board when a request was received from the traffic inspector to the Highways Board (Mr. E. H. Barrett) that the board require the handing back of a driver's licence issued by it to a local motorist. The reason given was that the inspector had witnessed an accident be-, tween this motorist and another, and had decided that, in the interests of all concerned, the holder of the license should discontinue to drive. On receiving the inspector's requisition the clerk had explained the position to the license holder, and, later, at the request of the latter, had submitted a request to him in writing for the return of the license. The chairman moved, and Mr. H. E. McEntee seconded, "That the clerk's action be approved, and that the matter be left in his hands to be dealt with." Rev. W. C. Wood contended that as the license holder had discontinued carryinn- passengers the board should leave the matter as it stood. Mr. G. Leitch supported this attitude. Ho said it seemed extraordinary that the board should renew the license in May and require it to be handed back in July, and that, too, on the demand of one man, without hearing any evidence. The chairman explained that if the licence, holder were involved in another accident while still holding the licence, owing to the board's failure to cancel it, liability would rest on the board. Rev. Wood: Oh, rubbish. The clerk stated that the inspector's power to require the handing back of a license was quite definite under the Act. Mr. Wood moved, and Mr. D. Weir seconded an amendment, "That the next business be proceeded with," the Rev. Wood saying this would leave the matter just were it stood at present. The amendment was defeated by 4 votes to 3. The division was as follows:—Against the amendment: The chairman, Messrs. McEntee, J. Andrew and. W. Rhind. For the amendment: Rev. Wood and Messrs. Weir and Leiteh. The motion was then carried. Rev. Mr. Wood again dissented and asked that his vote be recorded.