NAVAL MAN FINED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 6, 8 January 1934, Page 3

NAVAL MAN FINED.

SPEEDING AT MANUREWA.

MAGISTRATE'S WARNING.

Sub-Lieutenant H. Kidston, of H.M.s. Diomedc was fined £5 and costs 10/ in the Ota'huhu Magistrate's Court this morning for driving a motor car at excessive speed. Defendant, who did not appear, pleaded guilty by letter. Inspector Jones, of the Manukau County Council, said defendant passed him on the Great Soull) Road near Papatoetoe, driving a racing car. He immediately set off after the car, but had no chance of catching it, as it was gaining on him at 50 miles an hour. Near Manurewa he got within two feet of the racing car, but then it shot forward at a speed which he estimated at 75 miles an hour. He believed the car was capable of doing 100 miles an hour, and he never saw anything like the speed it was trevelling at on a main road. Defendant evidently did not know his roads, as he stopped at Manurewa to find his direction. He then turned up Hill Road. Witness said he interviewed defendant at his destination, and he seemed surprised at any notice being taken of his speed. Defendant told the inspector that he could stop his car within 25 yards at full speed. He also said that the population of New Zealand was very small when compared with England, where there was no speed limit Ho had only been in New Zealand ashort time. Mr. F. H. Levien, S.M.: I will treat this case as a first offence, though I am of opinion that a fine of £10 would better fit the case. A second offence will bring a more severe penalty. Other Penalties. Colin Ross was fined £5 and cpats 10/ for dangerous driving on the Great South Road. Inspector Jones said that defendant drove past Westfield at 51 miles an hour. It was the day before Christmas and traffic was heavy. For exceeding the speed limit of 45 miles an hour on the Howick-Whitford Road, Albert Lemon was fined £4 and costs 10/. i The magistrate said he scarcely knew what to do with people who drove along country roads at speeds in excess of 45 miles an hour. The Legislature said that speeds must not exceed 45 miles an hour on any road and the penalty for a breach of that regulation was heavy. In view of the direction from the authorities, he could only carry out the intention by inflicting a substantial fine.