MOTORING MIX-UP.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 11 March 1926, Page 4

MOTORING MIX-UP.

UNREGISTERED CARS

OWNERS’ OBLIGATIONS,

The fusing of the rear light of a motor-car resulted in five charges being preferred against Charles M. Hay at the Hawera Magistrate’s Court to-day. Four of the charges related to neglect of notifying transfer of ownership of two cars and the other to driving a car without a rear light. Mr L. A. Taylor, Who appeared for Hay, entered pleas of guilty to each and all of the charges. In outlining the case, Sergeant J. Henry stated that Constable Mullan saw the car being driven without a rear light. The number was taken, and in the course of enquiries it was found that the car carrying the particular number plate should have been a Chevrolet car owned by Walter S. Smart. It was found, however, that Smart had sold the car to Hay, but the transfer had not been registered. It was later found that Hay had sold the car without notifying the Postal Department of the transfer and had placed the number plate from the Chevrolet car on the Regal car which he had bought, offering the other in part payment. . '

Proceedings had accordingly been taken, and charges were preferred against Hay as follows: (a) With driving a car without a rear light; (b) with purchasing a car without notifying the authorities; (c) with selling the car without notifying the authorities; (d) with having used an unregistered car; (c) with using number plate belonging to another car 'on an unregistered car. Sergeant Henrv remarked that it was necessary for an owner to cancel his registration when he sold a car, for the purchaser to register the transfer with the authorities, paying a fee of ss, and to have the number plates registered under the new owner’s name. He admitted that it was a little complicated, but said that if owners took the trouble to enquire, the police, and he was sure that the Postal Department, would be only too willing to assist them by giving' any information required. A heavy penalty was not pressed for.

Mr. Taylor asked the magistrate to take a lenient view of the case, saying that there was no ulterior motive for the offence other than the saving of a few shillings. The magistrate remarked that, there were only two explanations for the offences —either Hay did not understand the law, or he decided to chance it. Convictions were entered in all the charges, and the total fines amounted to £1 12s 6d, with costs amounting to £2 Is. Walter S. Smart was also charged with disposing of a registered motor vehicle without notifying the authorities. A written plea of guilty was received. A conviction was entered, and a penalty of 10s with costs 7s was inflicted.

Business in Stratford is very quiet at present, and the same seems to apply throughout the whole of Taranaki. A local business man told the. Post that not for 14 years had he known trade bo ’be so backward. He was at a loss to account for it, unless it were that so many people had' purchased motor cars that they found it hard to purchase anything else. At a conference between the Hawera Dressing Sheds committee and representatives of the affiliated sports. bodies held last evening, for the purpose of discussing means of raising iunds for the upkeep of the sheds, it was decided bo .ask the two Hawera football clubs to play a match on the Saturday preceding the commencement of the competition fixtures. It is hoped that by this means the cost of providing, a caretaker for the sheds will be met.

Much interest was shown in a line of 2000 breeding ewes that passed though Wanganui yesterday' morning en route to Mr Donald Boss ’ Kai Iwi property. These sheep were purchased by Mr Boss from the Morilcau Farm, through the agency of Messrs Dalgety and Co., Ltd. The evenness of the line and the quality and condition of the ewes commanded universal attention. The Governmet photographer (.Attached to the New Zealand Publicity Department) hopes to obtain a picture of the sheep before they reach Mr Boss’ homestead.

A Brisbane message reports that good rain along practically the whole coast has broken the protracted dry spell. Heavy falls are also reported inland. Melbourne reports that a change of wind, accompanied by rain, checked the bush fires in the Wa.rburton district. Before the fires were checked a number of fire-fighters were badly burned. It now seems that there is no likelihood of further outbreaks.