Clearing of Letter Boxes

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 268, 15 November 1934, Page 6

Clearing of Letter Boxes

MAIL CONTRACTOR BEFORE COURT Per Press Association. INVERCARGILL, Last Night. Whether a Government mail contractor was entitled to draw up to clear pillar boxes on the wrong side of the road was a question .Mr E. C. Bevvy, S.M., was asked to decide in the Police Court this morning, when Tasman B. McKay (Mr Gordon Reed) pleaded not guilty to two charges of failing to keep to the left, of the centre of the road. Inspector E. Stopford, who prosecuted, said that the Court was asked to declare that defendant’s practice of pulling in to letter-boxes on his wrong side was illegal. -This case is of considerable importance to defendant,” Mr Reed said, -‘and I am going to ask that no conviction be entered, as he may have a technical defence. He is the only mail contractor in the city. He has to run to a time-table and clear 41 boxes in 1 u‘o hours. His contract provides penalties in the ease of any breach and he has lo work very quickly in ordet to carry out his schedule.’’ His Worship: It is a breach of the law, and even if 1 do not impose a penalty, it v.-ilf have to stop. 1 shall give the inspector the declaration he seeks. Defendant will have to reorganise his itinerary in some way.

His Worship thereupon dismissed the information.