SPEEDING ’BUSES.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVI, Issue 87, 29 March 1926, Page 6

SPEEDING ’BUSES.

CHARGED UNDER GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS. 'Three motor ’bus proprietors were proceeded against by the Hawke’s BayCounty Council on charges of operating ’buses on the county roads at speeds in excess of that allowed by the Government regulations at the Napier Alagistrate’s Court this morning, before Air. R. W. Dyer, S.AI., those involved being the Hastings-Napier ’Bus Co., the Hastings ’Bus Co., and Colin Newtek’s. The circumstances were similar in each case, and the charge against the Napier-Hastings 'Bus Co. was taken first. Air. H. B. Lusk appeared for the County Council, and Air. C. Duff for the defence. Mr. Lusk said that the charges were laid under the Government heavy traffic regulations, and the ’bus in question came under the class, the maximum speed for which was 18 miles per hour, but it had pneumatic tyres for which an allowance of 20 per cent, was made on the speed. Mr. T. A. Evans, county inspector, gave evidence that he followed the 'du» in question going into Napier on the Awatoto road lor 1| miles and the speedometer of his car showed 26 miles per hour. On arriving in the town he spoke to the driver who admitted the speed at 24 miles per hour. Mr. Duff: 'There was no actual danger in the speed on this portion of the road, was there?—No. , The idea of the regulations is really tb protect the road surfaces, is it not? — Yes, 1 suppose that is so. 'The public is quite satisfied with the safety and convenience of the service? —Yes. You admit that speedometers on cars are often wrong?—Yes. Air. Duff, for the defence, said that il the charge had been laid under a bylaw they would have submitted that it was an. unreasonable law, but as the law was a statute one this was no do fence. I he point for the defence was that the wrong person was being proceeded against, the driver being the one who was really responsible. Considerable legal argument took place between His Worship and counsel on this point, Air. B. J. Dolan for the Hastings Motor Co. supporting Air. Dutt’s contention. The issue hinged on the interpretation of the words “use or drive and operate.” His Worship finally said that he considered that the words of the statute were applicable to the owners. Thomas Charles Pallot, secretary or the Hastings-Napier ’Bus Co., said that instructions were issued to the drivers to vary their speeds according to’ the load which was being carried. He had had no complaints regarding the speeds of the ’buses. The case against the Hastings Motor Co. was then taken, Air. Dolan for the defence pleading not guilty. 'The inspector gave evidence that he followed the 'bus and timed it at 30 to 33 miles per hour. A fine of £3 and £2 9/- costs was imposed. Cohn Newrick appeared in person to answer a charge of a similar nature, and pleaded guilty. He pointed out that to keep within the specified speed his service would have to alter its timetable. A fine of £3 and £1 8/- costs was imposed.