REAR LIGHTS FOR MOTORS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 10330, 27 March 1916, Page 6

REAR LIGHTS FOR MOTORS.

REQUIREMENTS of new act. A case of much interest to motor-car owners came before Mr J. A . Boynton, S.. ~ at the Magistrate’s Court this inormnff when J. M. Johnston (Mr H. Gilloid Moore), was proceeded against by the police for failing to show a rear light on his motor car-a charge brought, under the provisions of the Licensed Vehicles Act, which came into force on tho Ist, instant Evidence was submitted on behalf ol flic prosecution by Constables Andrew am Boyd, to the effect that on Saturday evenin.; they noticed that there wasn no distinguishing light at the roar of delepdant s ear Th.. light was certainly visible Lorn the red discs behind the headlights, but only at certain angles. Standing immediately to the rear of the car, there was no visible light. . , ,• Sergeant Henry gave corroborative tcsti-

monv. . , For the defence, counsel contended that the provisions of the Act governing such cases wore amply complied with, and demonstrato to the Magistrate Ids argument, claiming that, there was sufficient reflection front the red discs to meet the requirements oi the statute.. His Worship inspected the car lights anti the various angles at which a reflection of the lights could bo, observed. After the inspection, defendant gave,evidence that the back, .reflector of his headlights was quite sufficient for the purposes intended of them. Ho emphasised fiis argument, saying ho could with ease distinguish the .-lights of his car some considerable, distance up Fit/.hcrborot, street. He admitted that a person taking up a position immediately at the rear of the car would not observe. Ihe lights, but at angles, they could be seen, just as in the case of a trap. His Worship, in dismissing the information. said he did not wish to be too strict as the Act had just been enforced, it was not a local, .by-law, but a. regulation constituted by Statute law. This case was just on the border lino, and it would act as a warning to the public of the enforcement of the new law, which was applicable in , all counties and roads throughout the Dominion. The lamps on defendant’s car were not reflected immediately behind the motor car, but, however, as ho bad already observed, the charge was just, on the border line, and i’t would act as a warning.