USE OF PETROL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32432, 17 May 1944, Page 7

USE OF PETROL

TOOK LORRY TO PICNIC WHITIANGA MAN FINED’ Charged that at Whitianga on January 9 last he used petrol for purposes other than that for which his licence was granted under Oil Fuel Regulations., A. N. West was fined 10s in the Coromandel Court on Wed--nesday, May 3, by Messrs G. Darling and C. W. Howell, J’s.P.

Constable Tucker stated that on January 9 last there was a motor collision near Buffalo Beach, and both drivers were before the Court in February. One of West’si motor lorries took children and, parents to a picnic about two miles along the beach, returning for them later in the day.

Arthur Nesbit West was a licensed transport operator and has a licence for 110 gallons of petrol a month. On, being interviewed about petrol he said he used benzine from coupons which had been given to him during the Christmas holidays. He had no coupons and no licence for his private car. Constable Tucker submitted that West had used petrol off his licence for the trip in the truck, about half a gallon, he should say.

West in evidence said he was a garage proprietor and often had coupons given him, as had been stated. He considered he was in his rights as a transport operator in carrying gear for a picnic, etc. He also said he was not paid for the job.

Constable Tucker said no one took on jobs for nothing—doing jobs without pay was not ordinary transport business.