Department “Curt, Uninformative”

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31166, 16 September 1966, Page 1

Department “Curt, Uninformative”

(New Zealand Press Association! DUNEDIN, September 15. The Transport Department was accused by Mr R. J. Gilbert in the Magistrate’s Court, at Dunedin today, of being curt and uninformative in a reply to a written request for further details of a traffic offence.

Mr Gilbert was defending Archibald Mac Nicol, a sheep farmer, of Roxburgh, on a charge of dangerous driving.

“This was more than a discourtesy on the part of the department,” said Mr Gilbert. "It was a breach of the fundamental principles of the Transport Act.” The Magistrate said he could not understand why the details sought had not been given as they should have been.

“The tone of the department’s letter has been properly criticised,” he said. “But he would not take the view that Mac Nicol had been prejudiced in his defence.

“I am satisfied that the whole pattern of driving in this case came within the category of dangerous driving."

Evidence was given by Traffic Officers R. S. Weir and G. G. Hood.

Mac Nicol was fined £l5 by Mr J. D. Murray, S.M. He imposed the 12-months’ mandatory period of disqualification to take effect on September 20. Meanwhile, the Magistrate said, he would consider any application for partial exemption.