Motor Cyclists Sped At 80 M.p.h

Northern Advocate, 25 August 1948, Page 4

Motor Cyclists Sped At 80 M .p.h

PAPAROA, Wed. (0.C.) .—Alleged to have been travelling at a speed in the vicinity of 80 m.p.h., a motorcyclist, lan William McGlashen, a garage pi'oprietor of Birkenhead, was fined £2 and 12/- costs by Mr W. C. Harley, S.M.. at the Maungaturoto Magistrate’s Court. The offence took place on a level straight of main highway near Waipu on March 29.

Traffic Inspector M. C. Moates (Wellsford), who conducted the prosecution, stated that while upon patrol duty near Waipu, his altentiion had been drawn to the sound of approaching motor cycle engines, which appeared to be driven excessively fast.

The two. riders had seen him in passing, had slowed down while passing through the township, but had again accelerated.

INSPECTOR IN PURSUIT Inspector Moates said he had followed them for 2£ miles at a distance of some 600 ft in the rear. For the better part of a mile he had travelled at 80 m.p.h., and at 60 m.p.h. for the remainder of this distance, but had not been able to lessen the distance between. Towards the end of the straight one cyclists had looked back, and had seen he was being followed, both then slowing to a speed of 20 m.p.h. Both cycles were equipped with heavy saddle bags, said Inspector Moates, who added that, as the stopping distance at 60 m.p.h. was 333 feet, they were being ridden at a speed definitely dangerous to the pub-, lie.

McGlashen was one rider, the other, Robert Arthur Darrington, also a garage proprietor of Birkenhead, being similarly fined.

TRAFFIC BREACHES Costs only, amounting to 12/-, were imposed on Albert Harry Morris, a farmer of Maung'aturoto, for allowing a motor vehicle, to be operated at night witli incorrectly adjusted headlamps.

Tyrell Henry Cromwell Snelling, a contractor of Maungaturoto, was fined 10/- and 11/- costs for operating a vehicle at night not equipped with a tail-light. Thomas Edwin Clark, a company director of Titirangi, was fined £2 and 12/- costs for driving a vehicle near Waipu at 60 m.p.h. Ray Neilson Hamblyn. a farmer, of Waipu. was fined 10/- and 10/- costs for operating a light trade motor without a warrant of fitness.