SPEEDOMETER WRONG

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 71, 24 March 1926, Page 6

SPEEDOMETER WRONG

THE HUTT ROAD LIMIT I

B I FORMAL CONVICTION ENTERED. I

A case of unusual interest to Wellington motorists was heard in the Magistrate's Court yesterday afternoon, when Harry John Stott was charged with exceeding 30 miles an hour on tho Hutt' road. The defendant, who was represented by Mr. P. Putnam, pleaded guilty. Motor-Constable Morrison said.that on the afternoon of 2Snd February he followed defendant's car for a mile and a. half along the Hutt road, and witness's speedometer registered up to 43 miles an hour. Mr. Putnam: "Are you sure you followed him for that distance?" "Certain," ■ x . "When was your speedometor last tested?"— •" lt is tested every day " "By whom?"—"By nearly every motor-car on the .Toad.?'. His Worships "I« your speedometer never wrong?"—"lt never varies." "You merely.test it alongside another earn,'—"That is the only way. If » man shows 30 miles an hour and my instrument ia the same nine times out of ten; the method;i» all right." .To-Mr. Putnam: There is no speedometer tester in Wellington. "You have never taken it to an expert!"—"The only expert I know is the man who fixed it about a year ago." : ■': ■■■•».■■ • Mr. Putnam said that although Stott had pleaded guilty, he wished to contest the speed. A« secretary of the Wellington Automobile Club, Stott had urged upon his committee to see that motorists did not exceed the speed, limits in the city. Both Stott and his' companion in the car were prepared to swear that the speedometer was registering just under 30 miles an hour. After the occurrence, Stott had his speedometer tested by a special machine, the only one in New Zealand, and it was found that the instrument was, five ; or. six miles out. Constable Morrison had not had hit speedometer tested for twelve months, and, in counsel's opinion, his instrument was inaccurate. The case was a very serious matter for the defendant, and counsel asked that the Bench should take into consideration the faet that he believed his speedometer to be correct. His Worship: "If a person believes his instrument to be correct,' and triesr to keep within the limit, the fact is considered in fixing the penalty." •* Defendant, in evidence,, said that he was absolutely familiar with the local, speed limits. He was prepared to say the constable did not follow him for a mile and a half. ■ . . ; : Sergeant Lander: "Do you know anything about th.o- workings of a speedometer?"—"l know a lot now." (Laughter.) His Worship: "Will you swear on oath that your speedometer was showing only 30 miles aa hourf"—"Yes." The Magistrate said he wr.j prepared1 to accept -the defendant's statement that his, speedometer was incorrect, and it would not do to fine a man heavily for such a mistake. It was hard to understand, however, that an experienced driver c6uld mistake, 40 'miles an" hour for 30. "I believe Constable Morrison's statement that his speedometer showed 43 miles an hour," said his Worship, "but I think it would be advisable to have an expert test the instruments of the police patrol." ■ A, conviction wa» entered, and Stott was ordered to pay the costs of tho proceedings, 14g. ~ .